Covid-19: Nphet identifies growing role of UK virus variant as 6,521 cases confirmed
There has now been a total of 2,307 Covid-19 related deaths since the outbreak began.
Dr Tony Holohan and Nphet confirmed 6,521 cases of Covid-19 this evening. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Thu, 07 Jan, 2021 - 22:20
Niamh Griffin and Ciarán Sunderland
The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) is now concerned the new variant of Covid-19 is playing a larger role in the high levels of transmission seen here in recent weeks.
This comes as authorities confirm 10 deaths bringing the total number of Covid-related deaths to 2,307 and 6,521 cases of the virus in Ireland.
Top Irish health official raised serious concerns about travel advice issued by European agency
The Department wrote to the European Centre for Disease Control & Prevention one day before the UK revealed a new variant of Covid-19. By Cónal Thomas Friday 8 Jan 2021, 12:05 AM Jan 8th 2021, 12:05 AM 46,716 Views 53 Comments
Image: Sam Boal
Image: Sam Boal
THE DEPARTMENT OF Health expressed “serious concerns” about international travel advice issued by The European Centre for Disease Control & Prevention in the run-up to Christmas, claiming it was inconsistent and lacking in evidence.
A letter to the ECDC on 9 December from Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Colette Bonner followed Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan’s public criticism of ECDC advice which said air travel should not be considered high-risk for sprea
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It is the highest daily figure reported since the pandemic began.
It takes the death toll in Ireland to 2,327 and the total number of cases to 135,884. The figure accounts for the denotification of 21 previously-confirmed cases.
This afternoon, there were 1,180 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals with 109 in intensive care.
The 14-day rate of the virus in Ireland now stands at 1087.7 cases per 100,000 people.
The seven-day incidence is 889.4 while the five-day moving average is 6,800.
Of the 174,126 tests carried out in the past week, 22.4% have come back positive.
South African variant
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the South African variant of the virus has now been detected in Ireland for the first time.
CURBS on the sale of alcohol by forcing off-licences to cut their opening hours may be the next step in the fight against the Covid-19 crisis after Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned it is helping to fuel the spread.
Dr Holohan welcomed signals that the Government is looking at curtailing off-licence hours.
He said “the virus loves alcohol” and it was clear it was causing people to let down their guard.
He was speaking as the rapid acceleration in the spread of the virus has left the country facing the fastest rate of growth since March.
Ten more Covid-19 related deaths were reported yesterday, along with 6,521 cases, although there are cautious signs that cases may have begun to stabilise in recent days.
Dr Holohan said the core priority must be protecting the overall health and wellbeing of children.
“Given the staffing challenges already evident across the health and social care sector, it will also be important that measures are taken to limit the impact of a closure of schools on health care workers and other essential workers,” he said.
“Specific measures should also be taken to ensure that more vulnerable children can best be supported over the coming weeks”.
Schools will remain closed until the end of January at least, except for Leaving Cert students, who will attend three days a week.