Covid-19: Republic passes one million cases after almost 24,000 new infections

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Taoiseach Micheal Martin

Q Radio News/PA

More than 1,000 people are now in hospital with Covid-19 in Ireland, the head of the Republic's health service Paul Reid has confirmed.

The news comes after days of record Covid-19 case numbers, following the arrival of the Omicron variant late last year.

A further 23,909 positive cases were notified in the Republic on Monday.

It brings the total number of cases reported by Ireland's Department of Health since the pandemic began past one million - 1,002,013.

Half of all cases have been notified to health authorities since 15 November, when the country passed the 500,000 mark.

On Monday morning, there were 1,063 Covid-positive patients in hospital, with 89 in intensive care.

Mr Reid said that there is a “continual strain” on the health system, in part due to rising hospital cases but also as a result of significant staff absences due to Covid-19.

He said that it was good news that the proportion of people entering hospital was “significantly down on what it would be in previous waves”.

However, he said that despite indications that Omicron causes a less severe illness, “there is no-one in hospital with a mild illness”.

“One good positive thing – we’re not seeing the same level of patients needing advanced respiratory supports,” he told RTE radio.

The HSE boss said that around 14,000 to 15,000 staff are absent due to Covid-19.

He said that the “pace” of the absences had been a challenge for the HSE.

Following the opening of vaccinations for children aged five to 11, 83,000 have been registered to received the vaccine, Mr Reid said.

Around 27,000 had received a first dose of the vaccine, he added.

Mr Reid was also asked about media reports that the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) is due to consider mandatory vaccination.

He indicated that he would not personally support such a move.

“I would prefer to be winning people’s heart and minds,” he said, referring to Ireland’s already high take-up of vaccines.

He also said that the HSE expects that people will be able to register positive antigen tests online from later this week.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is confident that the current restrictions will withstand the current wave.

“That said, we want to give it another week or two,” he added.

“We haven’t peaked yet and Covid has had many twists and turns.

“I am confident that if we maintain the same focus we can get through this wave.”

The Fianna Fail leader said that Cabinet is not reviewing the 8pm curfew for the hospitality sector.

He said he is also awaiting advice from the chief medical officer about the rules around close contacts.

Mr Martin said it will kept under “close review”.

“We have over 1,000 people in hospital.

“Thankfully the conversion to intensive care is not at the same level as it would have been last year or in different waves,” he added.

“We do need a bit more time to await to see to be sure of that. We are still not at the peak of this wave, it’s still on an upward trajectory.

“The country is managing this, we just need to keep at this. I would urge people in that context then to get the booster vaccine.

“It is absolutely clear that if you are vaccinated, you reduce you capacity to get very ill or end up in hospital or ICU.

“Given the extraordinary nature of Omicron, given how quickly it spreads and transmits, I think the country, prior to Christmas and over Christmas, has done very well.

“I think people have responded well in terms of behaviour, which has kept pressure on the virus from spreading even more.”

He said that around 63% of the adult population have received their booster shot, but that the programme has been hampered by the large number of people contracting the virus.

“We want to keep people out of hospital and ICU. In our view the case numbers are very high and we believe we can manage those case numbers within the existing infrastructure,” Mr Martin added.

“The system will cope.”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he is confident that the current restrictions will withstand the current wave

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