Health Correspondent
The total number of Covid-19 outbreaks reduced last week, according to new figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
There were 196 outbreaks reported, compared with 265 the previous week.
The biggest reduction was seen in private houses, which fell by more than half to 36.
But there was an increase in extended family outbreaks from 13 the previous week, to 21 last week.
There was a small rise in retail outlet outbreaks to four, compared with two the previous week.
Workplace outbreaks reduced to 29, compared with 36 the previous week.
The data is for the week to Saturday 30 January, during which the HSE resumed contact tracing of close contacts.
Health Correspondent
The latest HSE Covid-19 vaccination figures show that 150,500 first doses have been administered up to the end of January.
It said that 49,300 second doses have also been administered. It gives a total of 199,800 doses administered.
The HSE has received 207,330 vaccines to date, according to Paul Reid, the head of the HSE, in a posting on Twitter.
We have received a total of 207,330 #COVID19 vaccines to date in Ireland. Up to last night we have completed almost 200,000 (199,800). Plenty of bumbs on the road so far, but credit to all involved. We ll continue to mobilise to meet supply. @HSELive Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) February 1, 2021
Ballymahon native Pat Murray was a lovely lady, with a great sense of humour
Late Pat (Patricia) Murray (née Lovell), Carrickmines, Dublin / Kilmacanogue, Wicklow and formerly Ballymahon, Co Longford
Reporter:
ballymahonnotes@yahoo.ie );
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The death occurred, peacefully, in her 80th year, after a long illness, which she fought bravely and with dignity in the loving care of her family and the staff of St Vincent’s University Hospital and Blackrock Clinic, on Sunday, January 10 of Pat (Patricia) Murray (née Lovell), Carrickmines, Dublin 18 and formerly of Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow and Main Street, Ballymahon, Co Longford.
Pat, as she was affectionately known, was predeceased by her husband Sean Murray, native of Tashinney, Longford (the late Longford footballer and prominent businessman) and her parents Bobby and Margaret Lovell.
The number of patients in ICU with the coronavirus has reduced by three to 216.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said six additional cases of the variant first identified in South African have been confirmed here. Through our enhanced public health surveillance programme, we have identified six additional cases linked to the Southern African variant of concern, Dr Holohan said. All cases are being followed up by public health teams in line with the latest ECDC guidance published on the 21st January. This highly infectious disease is having a severe impact on the most vulnerable in our society and we must continue the good work we are doing to suppress it.
Health Correspondent
Community vaccination against Covid-19 will begin in mid-February, subject to regulatory approval, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said.
It comes as the Department of Health reported seven more coronavirus-related deaths - bringing the total for January to 688.
A further 1,372 new cases of Covid-19 have also been reported. There are 219 people in intensive care with Covid-19, up one on yesterday.
Minister Donnelly said Ireland will receive vaccine delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the lower end of the expected range for February.
The delivery in March is likely to be considerably lower than stated by the company.
Community vaccination will begin with those aged 85 years and older, followed by 80-84, 75-79 and 70-74.