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242 new cases of Covid-19, no additional deaths

Updated / Monday, 7 Dec 2020 19:58
Current projections for the Christmas/New Year period suggest between 300-600 cases a day in the second week in January
Current projections for the Christmas/New Year period suggest between 300-600 cases a day in the second week in January

The Department of Health has been notified of 242 new cases of Covid-19 in the State.

No additional deaths were reported this evening, while the number of people in ICU remains unchanged at 28.

There have been 74,468 cases of Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and there have been 2,099 Covid-related deaths in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today, 113 are in men and 129 are in women.

The department said 63% of the infections are in people under 45 years of age, with the median age being 37.

It said 76 of today's cases are in Dublin, 27 in Donegal, 22 in Kilkenny, 16 in Galway, 14 in Louth, and the remaining 87 cases are spread across 18 other counties. 

As of 2pm today, 223 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 28 are in ICU. There were nine additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that in relation to hospitalisations and mortality, the European average is continuing up very substantially, whereas Ireland has stayed at quite a low level in comparison.

Addressing the NPHET briefing, Dr Holohan said according to the weekly Amárach data, the number staying at home has dropped to 78% of people.

The Chief Medical Officer said according to this research, "broadly speaking people are less concerned about this overall".

He said 25% believe the worst is still to come, 34% believe the worst is behind us, while the remainder believe the worst is what we are experiencing right now.

Dr Holohan said he thought Dublin city centre was a little busier than he thought it might be yesterday, when he passed through it at one point.

But he said they had no reason to believe there is not a high level of compliance from the general public with the health advice.

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He said that their message still has to be that people need to select from the menu, and maybe do one or two things, but not everything that we are now permitted to do.

That is because, he said, if each one of us does all of the things that are now allowed, it will amount to a greatly increased number of socialisations, social activity, crowding opportunities - in other words, opportunities for the virus to transmit.

He said everyone needs to look at all the various things everyone can do, and decide which things are most important to them.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said he cannot say the computer problem will not happen again, as it was caused by a computer upgrade.

But he said the problem was identified quickly and it did not affect any individuals' case management or contact management. Dr Glynn said it simply led to a delay of 24-48 hours of reporting those figures.

Dr Holohan has said he was concerned and worried following the slight increase seen in the five-day moving average, as well as the 13% increase in the seven-day incidence rate.

He said in relation to vaccine prioritisation and which groups will get it first, it is a process in train.

Dr Holohan said he and Dr Glynn were at the meeting of the National Task Force this afternoon and plans are at "a very advanced stage", but they have to be considered by Government and approved before they can be published.

He added that they are on target for Friday.

During the NPHET briefing, Dr Holohan said he was "surprised" by the ECDC report last week that found that travel was not a high risk activity, and said "we essentially don't agree with that advice".

He said there was a meeting of the Health Security Committee today and they were going to raise questions in relation to that very point and ask those questions of ECDC.

Dr Holohan said: "We think the right public health advice to be issued for this country isn't the summary that was given in relation to that particular issue by ECDC last week."

He said the advice here is to avoid travel that is non-essential in nature this Christmas.

In Northern Ireland, today's official figures stated nine further coronavirus deaths recorded, taking the official toll to 1,059, while there were also 397 new cases.

Warning over the new year

The National Public Health Emergency Team has warned that a major increase in close social contacts could result in 300-450 Covid-19 cases a day by New Year's Day and 800-1,200 cases by the second week in January.

It said that current projections for the Christmas/New Year period suggest between 300-600 cases a day in the second week in January.

The projections are contained in the letter sent last Thursday by Dr Holohan to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and published today on the Department of Health website.

It said that model projections of the likely future trajectory of the disease has worsened over the last week and it has become clear that case counts are unlikely to fall below 200 cases a day.

It said that any significant increase in the incidence of Covid-19 over the coming weeks has the potential to once again challenge the timely investigation and management of cases, clusters and outbreaks by departments of public health.

NPHET also warned that international travel over the coming period has the potential to rapidly undermine the progress achieved by the country in recent weeks.

Earlier, the Assistant Secretary-General at the Department of the Taoiseach said restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants have reported a positive first weekend of reopening.

Speaking at a briefing, Liz Canavan also said that over the weekend, gardaí reported a high level of compliance with public health guidelines.

Fáilte Ireland carried out spot-checks over the weekend and had no reports of noncompliance, she said.

Ms Canavan said that just because restrictions have eased and we can now do more things, it does not mean we have to.

Ms Canavan said: "If you want to spend time with someone you love over Christmas and that person is more vulnerable to Covid-19, then don't meet up with friends for a meal. Maybe meet outdoors for a coffee instead."

She urged people to think about their social circle, saying the bubble you operate in is likely bigger and more populated than you think it is.

"More interaction is now permissible, but don't set it as a target," she said.

Ms Canavan said the end of a chain can end up with a family member or friend in hospital, someone who has been careful and has trusted those around them.

She urged people not to move between multiple venues and to keep household meetings to a minimum, adding that outdoors is better than indoors.

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Meanwhile, health insurance company Vhi has said it will waive a portion of premiums for its health insurance policy holders, due to lower than forecast claims levels this year as a result of Covid-19.

All policyholders will benefit from a waiver of premium to the value of €75 for every adult insured and €25 for each child insured.

Payments will begin in the last week in January and policyholders will have the money paid directly to their bank account or by cheque.

Additional reporting Fergal Bowers

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