Today marks the first day since 21st December that NPHET has not recorded any new Covid-19 deaths.
821 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the Republic, including 29 in Donegal.
The number of people being treated for Covid-19 in ICU is 157, down three on yesterday. The latest data from Letterkenny University Hospital last night recorded 23 patients with the virus – down from 61 three days previously.
Health officials are marking positive progress in Ireland’s vaccination scheme, as vaccine’s begin for over 85s in the community from today.
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “With the commencement of vaccination of people aged over 85 in the community, today marks a significant milestone as we seek to protect the most vulnerable from this pandemic. It is an extraordinary testament to science that less than one year since our first confirmed case in Ireland, we are now in the process of rolling out three effective vaccines. The challenge now is to continue to suppress this disease so that as many people as possible can benefit from these vaccines over the coming months.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said: “The current patterns remind us of the care we need to take to stay safe. In our workplaces and our colleges especially, we need to take care to stay safe until we are all protected by a vaccine.”
Dr Lorraine Doherty, National Clinical Director Health Protection, HSE – Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), said: “From today, the over 85 age sub-cohort, which accounts for approximately 72,500 people, will receive their first vaccine over the coming weeks. This week, a total of 116 GP practices will participate in the rollout with an estimated 374 GP’s taking part.
“2,491 GP’s spread across 1,373 practices will administer vaccines to approximately 490,000 people over 70 years old, in the weeks ahead.”
