Updated / Thursday, 17 Dec 2020
20:21
Outbreaks have been caused by Christmas parties and funerals, Dr Holohan warned
The Chief Medical Officer has expressed concern about Covid-19 outbreaks in workplaces and as a result of gatherings for Christmas parties and funerals.
Dr Tony Holohan urged people to heed the public health advice, including limiting their contacts, to avoid a big increase in cases next month. We are now getting reports of outbreaks in social settings including workplace settings, Christmas parties and funerals. I cannot stress enough how important it is to limit your interactions now. The consequences of not doing so will be exponential growth in January, a substantial increase in hospitalisations and risk to life, Dr Holohan added.
The Department of Health has released the latest COVID-19 figures for Ireland as the country makes preparations to roll out two different vaccines.
As of Monday evening, 264 new positive coronavirus cases have been confirmed, bringing the total number of Irish cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 76,449.
Meanwhile, there have been a further two COVID-19-related casualties, bringing the total Irish COVID death toll to 2,126.
The Department of Health has released the latest COVID-19 figures for Ireland as the country makes preparations to roll out two different vaccines. Pic: RollingNews.ie
This comes as the country prepares to roll out two different COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are approved by the European Medicines Agency.
An ‘all-clear’ private Covid test result should not be used as a free pass for Christmas socialising and celebrations, particularly if older relatives are present, health experts have warned.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said he would not recommend it as a protective measure – saying a test is only as good as when it is taken.
There are several tests now available privately, but even the gold standard PCR may not pick up the virus in someone who is positive, if taken at the wrong time.
There are many other measures people can take to protect loved ones over the festive season, including keeping their network very small with just two weeks to Christmas.
Coronavirus: 15 deaths and 310 new cases confirmed in Ireland
The latest figures were confirmed at tonight’s NPHET briefing. By Hayley Halpin Thursday 10 Dec 2020, 6:09 PM Dec 10th 2020, 6:09 PM 88,610 Views 101 Comments
File photo. (L to R) Prof Philp Nolan, Dr Tony Holohan and Dr Ronan Glynn.
Image: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie
Image: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie
A FURTHER 310 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has said this evening.
In a statement, it said that a further 15 people confirmed to have Covid-19 have died.
There have now been a total of 2,117 deaths related to Covid-19 in Ireland, along with a total of 75,203 confirmed cases.
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