DUBLIN: A new variant of COVID-19 that appeared in the UK has also been found in Ireland. Several new cases have been reported in the eastern part of the country, including Dublin. This was confirmed by a group of public health experts led by Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan.
NPHET has asked the government to close non-essential retail sales by December 26 after confirming the presence of the virus, which spreads 70% faster than the first virus. There will be no cabinet meeting until December 29. It is therefore assumed that the advice of NPHET will not be implemented until then.
Dr. Cillian De Gascun, Medical Virologist and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, has confirmed that the new virus has been discovered in Ireland. But he said that this new variant is not solely responsible for the recent increase in cases.
The cabinet meeting on Tuesday announced that retailers would also be allowed to open the establishment. However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin had also asked retailers not to go ahead with sales in January.
Restaurants and pubs have been closed since this afternoon. New restrictions on home visits and international travel will take effect after St. Stephen’s Day.
NPHET reported 938 new COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths in Ireland yesterday. This brings the total number of coronavirus related deaths to 2,184 and 82,155 confirmed cases in Ireland.
Of the cases confirmed yesterday, 416 were men and 517 were women. 65% were under 45 years of age and the median age was 36 years old. There were 300 cases in Dublin, 110 in Cork, 72 in Limerick, 68 in Donegal, 41 in Kildare and the remaining 347 cases are spread across 21 other counties.
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group said the epidemic situation has worsened in the last 48 hours. “The reproduction number is higher than we have reported since March at 1.5 – 1.8. The day on day growth rate is estimated at 7 – 9%. These data emphasise the need for us to be exceptionally careful over Christmas and to adhere strictly to public health guidance,” Mr. Nolan said.