Read on Twitter
Breaking
727 new cases - no new deaths.
727 new cases - no new deaths.
Tony Holohan describes situation as “gravely concerning.”
NEW
Professor Philip Nolan - the virus is transmitting faster than at any point since March... case numbers growing at 5-7% per day and of particular concern across all age groups.
Professor Philip Nolan - the virus is transmitting faster than at any point since March... case numbers growing at 5-7% per day and of particular concern across all age groups.
"The situation in Dublin now is as bad as it was in the October wave."
The new variant in Ireland has NOT yet been detected in Ireland - however vigilance is being urged because it was circulating in the UK for quite some time before detection.
Holohan: The five day rolling average has increased from 339 on 17th December to 616 on 21st December, an 82% increase.
NEW
Philip Nolan: We are now in a surge with older and vulnerable adults a key concern.
Growth rates similar to or greater than those seen approaching the peak of the second wave.
Philip Nolan: We are now in a surge with older and vulnerable adults a key concern.
Growth rates similar to or greater than those seen approaching the peak of the second wave.
#LATEST
Nolan says estimated R number could be as high as 1.5 or 1.6. It will be confirmed later in the week.
#COVID19
Nolan says estimated R number could be as high as 1.5 or 1.6. It will be confirmed later in the week.
#COVID19
Dr Lorraine Nolan pays tribute to the scientists, doctors and people who underwent clinical trial which has seen the Pfizer/BioNTech jab approved in Europe.
Lorraine Nolan: Even on this momentous day... we must all continue to follow public health advice.
Holohan on "rapidly changing situation".
"Our message here to people... it's really important that people stay at home. Stop socialising. It's not a time for people to be going out to pubs or restaurants... we're trying to evaluate the situation with this new variant."
"Our message here to people... it's really important that people stay at home. Stop socialising. It's not a time for people to be going out to pubs or restaurants... we're trying to evaluate the situation with this new variant."
TH: To the extent that it is possible, really limit your interaction with other households... the most responsible thing you could do is stay at home with the people you live with.
Holohan: This is now a third wave... it's happening much, much sooner than anticipated.
De Gascun says we “haven’t seen the evidence” for the transmission rate of the new strain.
There are “causes for concern”, he says.
There are “causes for concern”, he says.
“We need to avoid all non-essential travel” - Holohan on large numbers returning from UK to Ireland.
People arriving should “isolate” rather than restrict movements. Holohan stresses that isolating is staying in your room. People should be doing that for the coming days he says.
People arriving should “isolate” rather than restrict movements. Holohan stresses that isolating is staying in your room. People should be doing that for the coming days he says.
Holohan says schools will be kept under review.
“We’ve had core objectives to try to protect essential services like school...but it’s no guarantee that if transmission got to a certain level” he says it could be a challenge to keep them open.
“We’ve had core objectives to try to protect essential services like school...but it’s no guarantee that if transmission got to a certain level” he says it could be a challenge to keep them open.
Full breakdown of today’s cases.
On inter-county travel:
Holohan says “it isn’t a time to be travelling around the country.”
Holohan says “it isn’t a time to be travelling around the country.”
