Twenty-six new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Co. Donegal, according to the latest report from NPHET.
There are 227 newly-confirmed cases in Ireland reported today, and five additional deaths.
Donegal has seen 361 new cases of the virus in the two weeks up to midnight 8th December, which means the 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 is now 226.8. The national average has reduced to 79.5.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said people cannot afford to let their guard down against the virus: “Today we have seen 8 new admissions to ICU, the most in a 24 hour period since the spring time.
“COVID-19 is still an extremely infectious disease which has the potential to lead to hospitalisation and even ICU admissions.
“Ireland has managed to suppress COVID-19 to the lowest incidence levels in the EU in recent weeks. We have managed to keep up our safe behaviours and worked to protect each other throughout the pandemic.
Dr Holohan continued: “If we do not continue to suppress the disease through the actions we have learned over recent months, we will very quickly see a surge in infections leading to an increase in hospitalisations, ICU admissions and, tragically, deaths.
“We are actively planning to begin vaccinating people in early 2021. We cannot afford to drop our guard now.”
