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» Top medic’s message as 46 deaths eported » One in three in hospital this month under 65 » Ireland gets first delivery of Moderna jabs
DR Tony Holohan has pleaded with people to stay at home as the astronomical Covid- 19 levels have led to 46 further deaths from the disease.
The latest fatalities were confirmed by the HPSC last night, with all but two occurring within the past 12 days.
And the situation within hospitals continues to deteriorate, with 1,692 people now admitted with Covid- 19.
Of these, 158 were in ICU units. There were 128 additional hospitalisations in the 24 hours up to 2pm yesterday.
The terrifying figures come as the number of cases climbed by 3,086, bringing the total to 155,591 cases.
Of the new cases, 604 of these are in Galway, 574 are in Dublin, 466 in Mayo, 187 in Cork, 138 in Limerick and the remaining 1,117 cases are spread across all other counties.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Holohan said: “Unfortunately this evening, we are seeing the effect of the recent surge of infections reflected in the increased mortality we are reporting.
“Due to the unsustainably high level of Covid- 19 infection we have experienced as a country over the past few weeks, sadly these figures are likely to continue for the next period of time.
“What we can do today, out of respect of those who have lost their lives and those currently in hospital or ICU and those caring for them, is to hold firm and stay home.”
Deputy CMO Dr Ronan Glynn added: “At least one in three patients admitted to hospital or critical care in January have been under the age of 65 years. This clearly demonstrates that Covid- 19 affects us all, regardless of age or underlying condition.”
The first delivery of the Moderna Covid- 19 vaccine has landed in Ireland . Moderna kicked of f their deliveries to EU and EEA member states on Monday and Ireland has preordered 875,000 doses of the jab.
Two vaccines have already been approved for use in Europe, PfizerBiontech and Moderna, with a third by Astrazeneca likely to be approved by the end of the month.
And the vaccination effort is already underway throughout the country, as a total of 35,000 people received their first jabs last week.
Meanwhile, frontline gardai had to go to work and meet the public despite being close contacts of a positive Covid case, the Irish Mirror can reveal.
Concerns were raised at Navan Garda station in Co Meath, where rank and file officers were told to return to work with a negative test if they showed no symptoms for five days following a close contact.
In an email to staff and gardai at Na van station on Monday, the superintendent said a number of people had been sent for Covid tests in recent days. It read:
“Those nominated have, from what I am aware, received texts from the HSE that they are considered close contacts.
“However, this may not be the case in all circumstances.
“In order to address the critical nature of the service we provide, and there is provision for same, the following shall apply. Any members who were asy mp tomatic for a period of five days since the close contact, and tested negative, will return to work.”
It is understood officers in a Navan unit were told not to isolate and continued to work two night shifts, despite a positive result among them.
Following tests on their rest day, two more guards tested positive. A Garda spokesperson confirmed an officer attached to Na van Garda station had tested positive for Covid- 19.
They said: “The HSE Public Health team in consultation with An Garda S io chan a determined that all members of An Garda Siochana in the immediate previous 48 hours at the station would undergo a Covid- 19 test ir respective of their contact status.
“All affected members self- isolated
Sadly these figures are likely to continue for a period DR TONY HOLOHAN ON THE CURRENT NUMBERS
until Covid- 19 test results were received. Notwithstanding the email referred to, An Ga rd aS io chana continues to comply with HSE guidelines in respect of staff based on the determination as to whether they are close contacts or casual contacts.”
It was also revealed yesterday that any passengers jetting into Ireland will need a negative Covid- 19 test before they arrive from this weekend.
The Government has announced the extension of the requirement for a PCR t est to passenger arrivals from Saturday that must be taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival.
Arrivals from Great Britain and South Africa will continue to require a negative test and must still continue to isolate for 14 days, even if they take a second test after arrival. Arrivals from red and grey l i st countries – as defined by the EU traffic light system – and all other locations outside of Europe must continue to restrict their movements for 14 days.
However, this may be lifted on receipt of a negative/ not detected result of a second PCR t est taken no l ess than f ive days after arrival.
Meanwhile, arrivals from green and orange countries will not be required to restrict their movements but need to follow public health advice.