There have been six more Coronavirus-related deaths and 431 new cases confirmed by the health authorities this evening.
13 of the new cases are in Laois, following on from five yesterday, meaning the county’s 14-day incident rate rises to 113.3 compared to the national average of 87.9.
There are now 96 active cases in the county, compared to 85 yesterday. A week ago that figure stood at 47, the same as it was two weeks ago.
The 14-day incidence rate in Laois was 56.7 a week ago.
Of the cases notified today;
- 185 are men / 244 are women
- 67% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 35 years old
- 134 in Dublin, 53 in Donegal, 25 in Cavan, 24 in Louth, 22 in Mayo, and the remaining 173 cases are spread across all other remaining counties.
As of 2pm today 207 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU. 22 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “We are seeing significant and concerning indicators that this disease in moving in the wrong direction, including an increase in positivity rates, and 7 day and 14 day incidence, and our 5 day average has now increased to 339 cases. Recent international experience has demonstrated just how quickly this disease can get out of control.”
“These trends are all the more troubling because of the delicate and precarious situation we are in – as a country, we are heading into a period of potential widespread inter-household and inter-generational mixing. This is an ideal opportunity for the virus to spread and impact on those most vulnerable to its severest effects. Don’t give COVID-19 this chance: limit your contacts, prioritise who you meet, and let’s remain vigilant so we can get through this together. NPHET will meet tomorrow to review the epidemiological situation.”
New Cases in Laois
- December 15 – 13
- December 14 – 5
- December 13 – 8
- December 12 – 22
- December 11 – 9
- December 10 – 18
- December 9 – 2
- December 8 – 3
- December 7 – 2
- December 6 – 2
- December 5 – 0
- December 4 – 9
- December 3 – 2
- December 2 – 0
- December 1 – 1
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- 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
- December 7 – 56.7
- December 6 – 55.7
- December 5 – 55.5
- December 4 – 56.7
- December 3 – 49.6
- December 2 – 50.8
- December 1 – 55.5
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- December 15 – 96
- December 14 – 85
- December 13 – 84
- December 12 – 80
- December 11 – 62
- December 10 – 56
- December 9 – 42
- December 8 – 46
- December 7 – 48
- December 6 – 47
- December 5 – 47
- December 4 – 47
- December 3 – 42
- December 2 – 43
- December 1 – 47
Vaccine programme confirmed
Vaccine certificates could be required to attend social gatherings or sporting events once the most of the population have vaccinated.
At the launch of the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme yesterday, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said certificates could play crucial role in the fight against Covid-19 if the vaccine significantly reduces transmission of the disease.
The certificates are being considered for air travel in the EU, but they may also be used to allow for greater attendance at mass gatherings once most people are vaccinated.
