Dr Glynn issues advice as Covid figures fall

According to the latest update from the HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday, February 20, the 7 day average now stands at 792.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health has advised that people continue to work from home unless essential and “do not visit other households unless for essential reasons or as part of a support bubble”.

His comments come as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported less than 1,000 cases each day this week.

It has caused the 7 day average nationally to fall from 1,022 two weeks ago, to 862 last week.

According to the latest update from the HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday, February 20, the 7 day average now stands at 792.

The number of people in hospital has fallen from over 1,200 two weeks ago, to 744 today.

As of 8am today, 148 of the 744 are currently being treated in ICU. There have been 45 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

“While the level of disease in our communities remains very high, we are still making progress,” assured Dr Glynn.

But he warned: “Do not underestimate the power of your actions as we seek to protect the gains we have made and further reduce transmission.”

As of February 18,, 326,475 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland, with 205,955 people having received the first dose, and 120,520 the second dose.