A further six Coronavirus-related deaths have been announced by the health authorities this evening as well as 183 new cases.
It is the lowest number of daily cases since September 12.
There were no new cases in Laois meaning the 14-day incidence rate in the county drops to 50.8 – down from 55.5 yesterday. The Laois 14-day rate was 54.3 this time last week and 95.6 a week earlier.
The current national average is 79.7 down from 84.7 yesterday.
There are now 43 active cases in Laois, down from 47 yesterday. It was 81 two weeks ago and 47 last week.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that it is “important to keep up the progress that we have achieved in recent weeks”.
“Ireland now has the lowest 14-day incidence of Covid-19 in the EU, according the latest ECDC figures, and we need to hold firm to this position,” Holohan said.
Of the cases notified today;
- 82 are men/101 are women
- 60% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 36 years old
- 56 in Dublin, 26 in Donegal, 13 in Limerick, 11 in Kilkenny, 11 in Monaghan and the remaining 66 cases are spread across 15 other counties.
As of 2pm today, 239 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 32 are in ICU. 10 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.
New Cases in Laois
- December 2 –
- December 1 – 1
- November 30 – 5
- November 29 – 2
- November 28 – 2
- November 27 – 4
- November 26 – 4
- November 25 – 6
- November 24 – 5
- November 23 – 1
- November 22 – 2
- November 21 – 1
- November 20 – 5
- November 19 – 3
- November 18 – 3
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- December 1 – 55.5
- November 30 – 55.5
- November 29 – 51.9
- November 28 – 50.8
- November 27 – 55.5
- November 26 – 57.9
- November 25 – 54.3
- November 24 – 54.3
- November 23 – 49.6
- November 22 – 57.9
- November 21 – 60.2
- November 20 – 80.3
- November 19 – 83.8
- November 18 – 95.6
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- December 2
- December 1 – 47
- November 30 – 47
- November 29 – 44
- November 28 – 43
- November 27 – 47
- November 26 – 49
- November 25 – 46
- November 24 – 46
- November 23 – 42
- November 22 – 49
- November 21 – 51
- November 20 – 68
- November 19 – 71
- November 18 – 81
‘Be on highest level of guard’ as Christmas approaches
People in Ireland are facing into the highest risk Christmas of their lives, the chief executive of the (HSE) has declared.
With the phased relaxation over the festive period of restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19, Paul Reid said there is the understandable temptation for the public to drop its guard in the fight against the coronavirus.
As people meet in restaurants when they reopen over the weekend, they will naturally want to hug loved ones and friends as they part again, while generations will mix in indoor settings for days over Christmas itself, he pointed out.
“It is a heightened level of risk,” he warned.
“This is going to be the highest risk Christmas probably any of us have experienced across the board.”
Speaking during a press conference at Dublin’s Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Mr Reid said there has been much talk of another lockdown in January if cases soar again because of the festive easing of restrictions but that “it doesn’t have to be that way if we take all of the precautions and do the simple things very well”.
While encouraging people to enjoy the holidays and meeting their families, he urged them to “be on their highest level of guard” over the coming weeks.
People’s private homes continue to be the main scene of Covid-19 outbreaks amid growing concern about Christmas gatherings and the risk of spreading the infection.
New figures again show the ease with which people can get the virus in their own homes.
While outbreaks in private houses fell to 262 last week, when a full lockdown was still in place, they continue to be a hot spot even before festivities have begun.
There were 21 outbreaks in workplaces including food factories and 12 in schools. Another 10 struck hospitals which have resulted in patients being infected and hundreds of staff having to take leave.
SEE ALSO – November car sales in Laois slightly up as key New Year selling period moves close
