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There is strong reason for \u201cpersistent, ongoing concern\u201d over Ireland\u2019s recent Covid-19 figures, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned.<\/p>\nThere is strong reason for \u201cpersistent, ongoing concern\u201d over Ireland\u2019s recent Covid-19 figures, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has warned.<\/p>\n
Dr Holohan said it is not too late for people to make changes to their plans to socialize over Christmas and he urged people to bear in mind that they may well be the link in the chain of transmission.<\/p>\n
His comments come as five more people died of the virus, bringing the total death toll to 2,154.<\/p>\n
The Department of Health also reported 527 new cases of the virus.<\/p>\n
Dr Holohan said: \u201cThe figures we are seeing across all key indicators of disease severity continue to give us strong reason for persistent, ongoing concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we head into a week with uniquely risky inter-household and inter-generational mixing, please remember to act responsibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart this weekend. It is never too late to cut down your contacts, cancel plans, or avoid a crowd,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBear in mind that you may well be the link in a chain of transmission that ends with a vulnerable loved one catching this dangerous disease. Stop that chain of transmission now \u2013 limit your movements today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The national 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population now stands at 102.4.<\/p>\n
There were 207 patients with Covid-19 in hospital including 28 in intensive care. There were 12 additional admissions to hospital in a 24-hour period.<\/p>\n
Director of the National Virus Research Laboratory, Dr Cillian De Gascun, said a new variant of Covid-19 found in London has not been found here but he said Irish authorities will be vigilant for the new strain over Christmas.<\/p>\n
Dr De Gascun said: \u201cOur public health guidance here is to avoid non-essential travel so hopefully we won\u2019t see it imported over the coming weeks but obviously if we do and if we have cases that have returned from the UK then we\u2019ll work with our public health colleagues to identify those cases and prioritize them for sequencing.\u201d<\/p>\n
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled Christmas for millions of people across London and south-east England after scientists said that the new coronavirus variant is spreading more rapidly.<\/p>\n
On Saturday Mr Johnson announced that from Sunday, areas in the South East currently in Tier 3 will be moved into a new Tier 4 \u2013 effectively returning to the lockdown rules of November.<\/p>\n
Ireland relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions on Friday, allowing inter-county travel over Christmas until January 6th and permitting three households to meet indoors.<\/p>\n
But tougher restrictions are set to be imposed before the New Year.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin confirmed on Friday that pubs and restaurants will be closed before New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n
He said he would recommend to Cabinet that gastropubs and restaurants now close early.<\/p>\n
Public health bosses have recommended stricter measures to Government, including that pubs and restaurants be closed before the New Year and greater restrictions be placed on household visits after Christmas.<\/p>\n
It comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) warned that cases of Covid-19 are accelerating faster than anticipated after restrictions were eased at the beginning of December.<\/p>\n