The Department of Health here in the Irish Republic have confirmed 3,692 new cases of Covid-19, with an additional 4,347 people registering a positive antigen test through the HSE portal. Same numbers further confirm, a total of 8,039 new virus cases, latter a decrease of 177 based on the numbers reported in the same 24 hour period yesterday.
There are 885 people with Covid-19 in our Republic’s hospitals, up 40 on yesterday, and of these 76 are in ICU, down 3 on yesterday.
With some 8,000 health service staff remaining out of work, due to the virus; there remain high numbers of people still presenting themselves at emergency departments around the country, according to the Health Service Executive’s Chief Operations Officer, Ms Anne O’Connor.
From today onwards, following the announcement of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, on Friday last, employers can now start bringing staff back into their previous workplace.
Irish prison visits are expected to resume this week, with one ‘in-person’ visit every two weeks, and a video visit on the alternate week.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), which has closed for new applications from January 22nd, will move back to a weekly rate of €208, with effect from payments made on March 8th next.
In Northern Ireland, a further 3,932 cases of coronavirus been confirmed today, up 873 further cases on figures reported yesterday.
Today also, there were 371 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, with 23 of these in intensive care units.
Sadly, 1 Covid-19-related death has also been reported today in Northern Ireland.
Australia has recorded yet another surge of deaths, due to Covid-19, as an outbreak of the highly contagious Omicron variant peaks.
Australian authorities have warned that numbers could continue to rise further, as schools return next week from their end-of-year holidays.
The States of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, have confirmed 58 deaths, despite more than 9 in 10 Australians, aged over 12, having had two doses of one or other a coronavirus vaccine.
Herr Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European director has stated that he believes the Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end within Europe.
Meanwhile, in Brussels yesterday, police were forced to use water cannon and tear gas in an effort to breakup an estimated 50,000 people parading through the Belgian capital. All were protesting against Covid-19 rules, while some became involved in hurling paving stones and firecrackers.
Please continue the downward virus hospital trend by getting your booster vaccination dose, as soon as applicable.
Leave a Reply