There have been 13 further Coronavirus-related deaths in Ireland and 938 new cases.
10 of the new cases are in Laois, meaning the county’s 14-day incidence rate is now 194.8.
The national average is 153.2 and the Laois figure is now eighth highest in the country, behind only Donegal, Louth, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cavan and Limerick.
Of the cases notified today:
- 416 are men / 517 are women
- 65% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 36 years old
- 300 in Dublin, 110 in Cork, 72 in Limerick, 68 in Donegal, 41 in Kildare and the remaining 347 cases are spread across 21 other counties.
As of 2pm today 251 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 25 are in ICU. 24 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “The NPHET met today and reviewed the current epidemiological situation and has made recommendations to government. Every indicator of the disease is rising and rising rapidly. Our level of concern continues to escalate. We must do all we can individually and collectively to change the course of this disease.”
“Revise your Christmas plans to ensure social contacts are limited and that hand hygiene, physical distance, ventilation and face covering measures are in place if you must have visitors to your home.”
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: The epidemiological situation reviewed today is the most serious it has been since last March. People should act at all times as if they or those they come into contact with are infectious. The disease has spread across all parts of the country and all age groups, we must act now to protect each other.”
“It is inevitable that people will get sick and die as a result of this escalation, but it is not too late for all of us to do all we can to minimise that impact and to protect as many people as possible.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group said: “The situation has deteriorated further, even in the last two days. The reproduction number is higher than we have reported since March at 1.5 – 1.8. The day on day growth rate is estimated at 7 – 9%. These data emphasise the need for us to be exceptionally careful over Christmas and to adhere strictly to public health guidance.
Dr Cillian De Gascun, Medical Virologist and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory said: “Preliminary data would suggest, based on a selection of samples analysed from the weekend, that the novel variant from the UK is present in Ireland. However, given the timeline of the samples analysed, it would seem that the novel variant is not solely responsible for the recent increase in case numbers seen in Ireland.”
New Cases in Laois
- December 22 – 10
- December 21 – 13
- December 20 – 1
- December 19 – 19
- December 18 – 11
- December 17 – 10
- December 16 – 23
- December 15 – 13
- December 14 – 5
- December 13 – 8
- December 12 – 22
- December 11 – 9
- December 10 – 18
- December 9 – 2
- December 8 – 3
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- December 22 – 194.8
- December 21 – 186.5
- December 20 – 173.6
- December 19 – 174.7
- December 18 – 152.3
- December 17 – 149.9
- December 16 – 141.7
- December 15 – 113.3
- December 14 – 100.4
- December 13 – 99.2
- December 12 – 94.5
- December 11 – 73.2
- December 10 – 66.1
- December 9 – 49.6
- December 8 – 54.3
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- December 22 – 165
- December 21 – 158
- December 20 – 147
- December 19 – 148
- December 18 – 129
- December 17 – 127
- December 16 – 120
- December 15 – 96
- December 14 – 85
- December 13 – 84
- December 12 – 80
- December 11 – 62
- December 10 – 56
- December 9 – 42
- December 8 – 46
Minister for Agriculture tests positive
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has tested positive for Covid-19.
The minister’s spokesperson said that a test carried out yesterday returned positive today and the minister is self-isolating at home.
A statement from Government earlier said all Cabinet ministers were restricting their movements. It said that in line with public health advice, all ministers were awaiting a Covid test and result.
Mr McConalogue is said to be well and the spokesperson said he has no symptoms.
He was in Brussels on Government business in the last few days and was tested on his return.
