There have been nine further Coronavirus-related deaths and 1,546 new cases according to figures released this evening by the health authorities.
38 of the new cases are in Laois, meaning the county’s 14-day incidence rate now stands at 225.5 from 186.5 yesterday. The national incidence rate is currently 245.6, up from 220.1 yesterday.
Of the cases notified today:
- 757 are men / 788 are women
- 66% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 34 years old
- 444 in Dublin, 203 in Cork, 111 in Louth, 87 in Limerick, 85 in Donegal and the remaining 616 cases are spread across all other counties.
As of 2pm today, 411 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 34 are in ICU. 47 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: “We have reached a significant milestone in our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, with the launch of our national vaccination programme.
“To see the first recipients of the vaccine gives us hope for better times ahead, particularly for those of us who are the most vulnerable to the virus, including those over 70 and with underlying medical conditions.
“The vaccination programme will focus on the priority groups in line with the recent decisions of Government in the first instance.
“As the vaccination programme rolls out, particularly given the increasing spread of the disease and the concerning rise in the number of hospitalisations – up to 411 today – we each need to remember to remain vigilant to the ongoing risk of the spread of COVID-19 and follow the public health advice in our everyday lives.
“Following the public health advice is our only means to suppress the spread of the virus in the community. You are protecting yourself and your family from this highly infectious virus every time you wash your hands, wear a face covering, keep a 2m distance, reduce your social contacts and stay at home if you feel unwell.”
Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health said: “It is really great to see the COVID -19 vaccination programme commence today following the specific training for this significant vaccination programme.
“Many nurses and midwives are trained vaccinators and alongside their colleagues including hospital doctors, GPs, public health, pharmacists and allied health colleagues will play a significant role in delivering a safe, patient centred approach to the programme.
“Many nurses and midwives will be among the first to receive the vaccine so we can continue to provide care to all our patients.
“It is vital however to support them and all our frontline staff by continuing to adhere to the public health measures advised as the vaccine programme rolls out.”
New Cases in Laois
- December 28 – 38
- December 27 – 5
- December 26 – 2
- December 24 and 25 – 45
- December 23 – 12
- December 22 – 10
- December 21 – 13
- December 20 – 1
- December 19 – 19
- December 18 – 11
- December 17 – 10
- December 16 – 23
- December 15 – 13
- December 14 – 5
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- December 28 – 225.6
- December 27 – 186.5
- December 26 – 190.6
- December 24 and 25 – Unknown
- December 23 – 207.8
- December 22 – 194.8
- December 21 – 186.5
- December 20 – 173.6
- December 19 – 174.7
- December 18 – 152.3
- December 17 – 149.9
- December 16 – 141.7
- December 15 – 113.3
- December 14 – 100.4
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- December 28 – 191
- December 27 – 158
- December 26 – 161
- December 24 and 25 – Unknown
- December 23 – 176
- December 22 – 165
- December 21 – 158
- December 20 – 147
- December 19 – 148
- December 18 – 129
- December 17 – 127
- December 16 – 120
- December 15 – 96
- December 14 – 85
First Vaccinations Begin
A 79-year-old Dublin woman has become the first person in the country to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Annie Lynch, a grandmother of 10 who grew up in The Liberties area of the city, was administered the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at St James’s Hospital, followed by a clinical nurse manager in a designated Covid ward.
“I feel very privileged to be the first person in Ireland to receive the vaccine,” she said.
“Like everyone else I have been waiting for the vaccine and I really feel like there is a bit of hope there now. It’s brilliant that it’s here. Everything was explained very clearly to me beforehand.”
Bernie Waterhouse is a Clinical Nurse Manager working in a designated Covid-19 ward in St James’s Hospital, and was the first healthcare worker in Ireland to get the vaccine.
She said as she received her vaccine: “I wanted to get the vaccine to protect myself, and the people I work with and care for every day, from Covid-19.”
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