There have been a no further Coronavirus-related deaths reported today and 821 new cases according to figures released by the health authorities this evening.
This is the first time since December 21 that no new deaths have been reported to the HSPC.
Seven of the cases today are in Laois meaning the county’s 14-day rate drops to 273.9 from 296.4 yesterday.
Of the cases notified today:
- 430 are male/ 389 are Female
- 70% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 31 years old
- 333 in Dublin, 91 in Galway, 53 in Limerick, 41 in Kildare, 38 in Meath and the remaining 265 cases are spread across all other counties.
As of 8am today, 916 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 157 are in ICU. 40 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
As of Friday 12th February, 265,237 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 175,238 people have received their first dose
- 89,999 people have received their second dose
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “With the commencement of vaccination of people aged over 85 in the community, today marks a significant milestone as we seek to protect the most vulnerable from this pandemic.
“It is an extraordinary testament to science that less than one year since our first case in Ireland, we are now in the process of rolling out three effective vaccines. The challenge now is to continue to suppress this disease so that as many people as possible can benefit from these vaccines over the coming months.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; “The current patterns remind us of the care we need to take to stay safe. In our workplaces and our colleges especially, we need to take care to stay safe until we are all protected by a vaccine.”
Dr Lorraine Doherty, National Clinical Director Health Protection HSE – Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), said; “From today, the over 85 age sub-cohort, which accounts for approximately 72,500 people, will receive their first vaccine over the coming weeks. This week, a total of 116 GP practices will participate in the rollout with an estimated 374 GP’s taking part.
“2,491 GP’s spread across 1,373 practices will administer vaccines to approximately 490,000 people over 70 years old, in the weeks ahead.”
Dr. Sumi Dunne, General Practitioner, said; “As of this morning, the beginning of the over 85’s cohort began to receive their vaccines at selected GP practices. The level of vaccine confidence and enthusiasm for vaccination in this group has been widely reported, along with a sense of relief as hope for a normal life returns.”
New Cases in Laois
- February 14 – 7
- February 13 – 13
- February 12 – 19
- February 11 – 15
- February 10 – 22
- February 9 – 21
- February 8 – 10
- February 7 – 11
- February 6 – 21
- February 5 – 18
- February 4 – 15
- February 3 – 19
- February 2 – 6
- February 1 – 16
- January 31 – 27
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- February 14 – 273.9
- February 13 – 296.4
- February 12 – 307
- February 11 – 297.5
- February 10 – 297
- February 9 – 292.8
- February 8 – 286.9
- February 7 – 281
- February 6 – 298.7
- February 5 – 289.3
- February 4 – 288.1
- February 3 – 277.5
- February 2 – 308.2
- February 1 – 348.3
- January 31 – 383.7
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
-
- February 14 – 232
- February 13 – 251
- February 12 – 260
- February 11 – 252
- February 10 – 252
- February 9 – 248
- February 8 – 243
- February 7 – 238
- February 6 – 253
- February 5 – 245
- February 4 – 244
- February 3 – 235
- February 2 – 261
- February 1 – 295
- January 31 – 325
Israel vaccine study positive
Israel’s largest healthcare provider has said a study of more than half a million fully vaccinated Israelis indicated the Pfizer/BioNTech jab gave 94% protection against Covid-19.
Clalit Health Services said that its researchers tested 600,000 subjects who had received the recommended two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and the same number of people who had not been innoculated.
“There was a 94% reduction in the rate of symptomatic infection and a 92% decrease in the rate of serious illness compared to 600,000 similar (subjects) who were not vaccinated,” Clalit said in a Hebrew-language statement.
“Vaccine efficacy is maintained in all age groups, including those aged 70+,” it added.
Israel’s mass vaccination campaign has seen 3.8 million people receive a first dose, while 2.4 million have also received a second shot.
The country of nine million people, which is currently easing restrictions imposed during its third nationwide lockdown, is aiming to vaccinate everyone over the age of 16 by the end of March.
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