COVID-19 figures continue to soar

As per the Department of Health the latest COVID-19 figures are reaching new peaks. Despite the modified Level 5 lockdown and the imminent commencement of the vaccination programme virus continues to spread. A further 765 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed this evening, bringing the total number of cases detected in the Republic of Ireland to 86,894.

A further 1 death have been reported, bringing the total death toll to 2,205. The Department of Health added that there are now 359 people hospitalised with coronavirus, of which 30 are in intensive care units, and an 41 additional hospitalisations have occurred in the past 24 hours. The latest figures come after Tanaiste Leo Varadkar revealed that just 3% of the population will be vaccinated by the end of January, with the first jabs being administered at acute healthcare facilities in Cork, Dublin and Galway tomorrow.

The state took delivery of 10,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on St Stephen’s Day with another 30,000 expected later this wee and 40,000 doses due to arrive each week in January. Mr Varadkar also defended the decision to delay the start of the vaccination programme to December 29, saying Ireland has ‘different standards’ to other countries and that officials wanted to ensure ‘informed consent’ in the general population before roll out.