*Photograph: John Mangan
Clare has recorded its second highest ever tally of daily cases of COVID-19.
A statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Thursday detailed that 147 persons had been diagnosed with Coronavirus among the 7,836 new cases nationally. 2,263 in are in Dublin, 1,373 in Cork, 496 in Louth, 345 in Limerick, 340 in Meath and the remaining 2,872 cases are spread across all other counties.
There has been a further increase in the spread of the virus across the county. The 14 day incidence rate per 100k of the population stands at 681.7 below the national figure of 819.1.
An additional 17 deaths have been notified to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
As of 2pm today, 954 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 88 are in ICU. 105 additional hospitalisations occurred in the past 24 hours.
Dr Tony Holohan outlined that the country was in the midst of “a serious phase of this surge”. He stated, “There is evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant in Ireland. All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospital and ICU. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks”.
“It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes, always adhering to public health advice; physical distance, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, wearing a face covering,” the Chief Medical Officer added.
