Eight new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Co Clare while the county’s incidence rate has declined further with no new deaths recorded nationally for the second day in a row.
A week on week reduction in the amount of patients in critical care because of the virus has been noted by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). Data from 8am on Monday morning detailed that 85 persons remain in intensive care, they are included in the tally of 360 hospitalised, of which 25 were admitted in the past 24 hours.
Clare has recorded eight new cases, NPHET have stated. Meanwhile, the 14 day incidence rate per 100k of the population has dropped to 71.5 and is the sixth lowest in the country.
More cases are emerging among young people but “very few” are associated with school settings, Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group outlined. He warned of the dangers that can arise from an increase in mobility, “While some increase is to be expected due to many returning to school, we must continue to be very cautious. Now is not the time to be socialising, it’s just too risky.”
It is the second day in a row whereby no new deaths related to the virus have been recorded. 4,534 persons have died in the space of 12 months because of COVID-19.
An additional 575 cases are known across the country with 232 in Dublin, 48 in Meath, 41 in Tipperary, 38 in Kildare, 30 in Galway and the remaining 186 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
A total of 606,904 doses of the vaccine have been administered across Ireland, of these 163,812 have received both doses.
Efforts to prevent a fourth wave must be maintained, Dr Ronan Glynn said. “In time, vaccines will have a very significant positive impact on COVID, they will not stop a further wave of disease over the coming weeks. We are seeing this play out across Europe with many countries now experiencing pressure on their hospital and critical care capacities. We must not let this happen here”.
“We are by no means out of the woods,” the Deputy Chief Medical Officer added. He highlighted that St Patrick’s Day, Easter and the forecasted good weather represent a danger to the public to drop their guard.
Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), Professor Karina Butler stated that the situation relating to the AstraZeneca vaccine will continue to be monitored. “If we can be satisfied that these events are coincidental and not caused by this vaccine, we will reassess the situation and our recommendations. The HPRA will keep NIAC fully informed as the EMA investigation progresses and we, in turn, will ensure to keep you updated.”
Dr Ray Walley, Member of the National COVID-19 GP Liaison Committee explained, “Every medication, including every vaccine, has side effects. Our role as clinicians, is to weigh up the benefits and risks of medications. I want to reassure those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine in this country that there are, and continues to be, enormous benefits in the vaccine programme, based on evidence relating to all the vaccines we’re using in this country, including COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.”
“Evidence coming to light from other countries, and here in Ireland, indicates benefits for older people and vulnerable people, in terms of reduced hospitalisation and reduced death, particularly in older and frailer people. The temporary deferral of use of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca is necessary in order to give the assurance that we’re taking notice if there are any safety signals at all, any risks that may be identified during the considerable, ongoing monitoring of vaccination programmes internationally, and I hope people take comfort from this cautious approach,” he added.
