COVID-19: 6521 new cases and 10 deaths confirmed; quarter of cases reported in Ireland are variants of mutated COVID virus found in UK

DUBLIN: The number of COVID-19 patients in the country is rising every day. Yesterday alone 6521 new COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths were reported in Ireland.

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has revealed that a quarter of the COVID-19 cases currently reported in the country are variants of the mutated COVID virus found in the UK.

The number of close contacts and infected health workers in hospitals across the country is increasing every day. Out of a total of 1,400 nurses at Cork University Hospital, 180 are on leave associated with COVID-19. The situation is similar in most hospitals.

Ambulances in the capital had no rest yesterday. Ambulance Ireland said all the phone calls from the COVID patients, one after the other, were voices of concern, but was able to handle at maximum speed. At the same time, the leaders of the organization demanded that the ambulance paramedical staff be given the COVID-19 vaccine immediately.

Agreement on shift of patients from public hospitals to private hospitals will soon be reached

The agreement on the admission of patients from both private hospitals and public hospitals in Ireland will soon be reached. Intensive care units in public hospitals and even ordinary wards are being shifted to treat COVID-19 patients.

There are still 30 ICU beds and about 400 beds available in hospitals. Health officials fear that the number of cases will increase in the coming days and beds will not be available.

There are 1022 COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at various hospitals. Of these, 95 are in the intensive care unit.

Even if beds are completely used, patients would still continue to be hospitalised. Ireland did not go to such a stage in the first wave. But if such a situation arises, HSE and the hospital authorities will be forced to provide treatment using the facilities available.

Class for Leaving Cert students: teachers will not cooperate

DUBLIN: Leaders of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) have stated they will oppose the government’s decision to hold classes three days a week for Leaving Cert students. The organization told the government that the only reasonable way was to conduct classes online.

Extremely serious situation in Northern Ireland

BELFAST: Authorities say one in 40 people in some parts of Northern Ireland is infected with COVID-19. The Department of Health confirmed 1,410 COVID-19 cases and 17 further deaths in Northern Ireland yesterday.