The Department of Health in the Irish Republic have confirmed 20,909 new coronavirus cases and sadly 83 Covid-related deaths in the past week. The number of related deaths since the pandemic began now stands at a colossal 6,035.
There remain 1,055 people in our Republic’s hospitals with the virus, down 7 on yesterday. Of these, 92 patients are in intensive care units across our Republic; unchanged since yesterday.
The Republic’s Cabinet has approved changes to the isolation periods for Covid-19, which will come into effect from midnight tomorrow. This agreed Government decision brings to an end the five day isolation period for fully vaccinated close contacts, who do not have any Covid-19 symptoms.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the latest health changes were not just about removing rules regarding self-isolation for certain close contacts; but more about the importance of people wearing higher grade face masks.
The HSE has confirmed that, as of yesterday, there were around 95,000 children aged 5-11 years now registered for Covid-19 vaccinations, with some 80,000 appointments now offered, plus some 36,000 vaccinations having been administered in this particular age group.
Meanwhile, nationally the tougher public health measures recently introduced to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant, has triggered a small rise in unemployment of some 7.5% in December 2021, up from 6.9% in November 2021.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also confirmed a further 2,922 coronavirus cases today, down however from the 3,420 cases reported yesterday. Sadly, they also report 2 further deaths, bringing their total number of virus associated deceased persons, since the start of the pandemic in Northern Ireland, to 3,017.
Today, there were 439 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals down 1 on yesterday and of this number, 29 patients are in hospital intensive care units, down 2 on yesterday.
Once again, we remind our readers:
It was never more important that everyone now continue to support our schools, businesses, immediate family
and friends and to keep to the spirit of public health advice.
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