The Department of Health has reported 650 new cases of COVID-19 and 57 further COVID-related deaths, taking the total number of deaths related to the disease in the Republic since the start of the pandemic to over 4,000.
Of the cases reported this evening, 53 are in Galway, which is again the second highest of any county after Dublin.
The 14-day incidence rate in Galway is now 328.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with 847 new cases reported here in the past fortnight.
The median age of those who died was 82 and their ages ranged from 52 to 99 years. 21 of the deaths reported today occurred in January.
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said that although we have made great progress, the situation remains precarious.The median age of those who died was 82 and their ages ranged from 52 to 99.
“Almost 90% of cases in Ireland are the B117 variant. The increased transmissibility of this variant is apparent in the current profile of the disease in households, with one in three household contacts of a confirmed case testing positive for COVID-19,” said Dr Glynn.
“This underlines the need for people to exercise caution in households and other settings. In particular, people should isolate immediately on experiencing any symptoms and contact their GP.”
