The Department of Health has confirmed 1,819 new cases of Covid-19 within the Irish Republic. There are 206 people in our hospitals, with 36 of these virus patients in our ICU’s; latter up 3 cases on yesterday.
Over 78% of adults have now been fully vaccinated against the virus representing almost just 60% of our total population. Over 89% of adults have received one dose and the vaccine portal will open for children aged 12-15 years, from tomorrow.
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, sadly, 3 further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been confirmed. There have also been 1,467 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period, with 321 Covid-positive patients in hospital; 40 in intensive care.
Both these confirmed figures bring to 3,285 the number of new Covid-19 cases confirmed on the whole island of Ireland, just over the past 24 hours an increase of 473 on yesterday’s figures.
Drug Tests:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced major international trials of three drugs to find out whether they can improve the condition of patients who are/will be hospitalised due to the Covid pandemic. The drugs artesunate, imatinib and infliximab will be tested on thousands of volunteer patients in more than 600 hospitals in some 52 countries in an effort to improve the long term effects, being suffered by those struck down by the virus pandemic.
We understand that artesunate is already used to treat severe malaria; imatinib is a drug used for certain cancers, while infliximab is a treatment for immune disorders such as Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis.
Education:
Primary and secondary schools which are due to reopen within the next two to three weeks, will find out next week when they will receive carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors. Same is expected to help monitor air quality in available classrooms.
Business:
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise association (ISME) has said employers should be allowed to ask if employees have been vaccinated before deciding if they can be allowed to return to offices. The leading business representative group state that businesses would be acting irresponsibly should they fail to do so.
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