Updates for Friday 11th December 2020
Latest figures:
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 3 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
There has been a total of 2,120 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight Thursday, 11 December, the HPSC has been notified of 313 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 75,507* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today;
144 are men / 169 are women
67% are under 45 years of age
The median age is 35 years old
70 in Dublin, 31 in Mayo, 21 in Kilkenny, 19 in Donegal, and the remaining 154 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
18 of the new cases are in Laois, 8 in Westmeath and less than 5 have been reported in Offaly.
The Lake county has now the 5th lowest incidence rate in the country on 28, while Offaly has a rate of 64 and it's 66 in Laois.
The national average for the 14-Day incidence rate per 100,000 population is 81.
As of 2pm today 197 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 35 are in ICU. 12 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Vaccine:
The head of the HSE says he doesn't believe healthcare workers should be forced to get a Covid-19 vaccine.
They're one of the highest priority groups, along with nursing home residents and over 70s, when a jab becomes available.
A high-level taskforce is due to report to government today on how a vaccine would be rolled out once approved.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid says highlighting the risks of NOT getting it should be the main strategy to drive uptake:
Christmas:
With exactly two weeks to go until Christmas, health officials are asking people to limit their social contacts from today.
NPHET has also advised against people taking a Covid-19 test before visiting relatives over the festive season.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan says it's crucial people cut the number of people they socialise with in the weeks ahead:
China:
New Covid-19 travel guidelines in China have recommended that flight attendants there wear nappies.
The Chinese Civil Aviation Authority says it's so the staff don't have to use the bathroom in the air.
It's among a number of measures for those working on airplanes, to reduce their risk of contracting coronavirus.
Northern Ireland:
Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in Northern Ireland today, with restaurants and gastropubs allowed re-open.
The lockdown was originally due to end in mid-November but was extended for two extra weeks.
Gyms, salons and non-essential retail can also welcome customers back today, but household gatherings are still not allowed.
Belfast restaurant owner Michael O'Connor is afraid the hospitality sector will be unfairly blamed for any spike in cases:
Schools:
President Michael D Higgins will be saying thanks to staff and students today for keeping schools open.
He's taking part in a video message for 'Go raibh maith agaibh' day for their efforts to keep students safe during the Covid crisis.
Primary and secondary schools across the country will see the video of thanks from political leaders and sports personalities.
Irish Second Level Students Union welfare officer, Mathew Ryan, says everyone has played their part:
Local figures:
310 more people have tested positive for Covid-19 -- and NPHET says that's about as far down as daily case numbers will go.
The public health crisis committee says the outbreak in Ireland has stabilised.
It comes as 15 more patients are confirmed to have died.
There are no new cases in Westmeath or Offaly, and less than five cases have been reported in Laois.
The Lake county has the second lowest incidence rate in the country on 20, while it's 49 in Laois and Offaly has a rate of 62.
The national average is 79.
Meanwhile, five areas in Co Donegal have 14-day incidence rates for coronavirus that are at least twice the national average.
Carndonagh Local Electoral Area's rate is 519 per 100,000 people - which is over six times the national average.
Letterkenny LEA's rate is 322, the second highest in the Republic.
The third worst is Claremorris LEA in Co Mayo, which has a rate of 258.
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