By digital desk staff
A total of 26 deaths and 2,294 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on the Irish island on Saturday.
In the Republic, the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has confirmed 1,296 new cases of the virus and six more deaths.
In Northern Ireland, an additional 998 new cases have been identified in the last two days, with 20 deaths associated with Covid-19 during the same period.
Dr. Tony Holohan, the country’s chief health officer, said the numbers were “extremely concerned.”
“We have reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 for the second consecutive day. Within weeks of mitigation in early December, in the community, which has not been seen since the peak of the second wave of the disease. We’re back at a very high level of Covid-19 in circulation, “he said.
“Today is a positive day with the introduction of the Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, but that doesn’t mean we can relax our compliance with public health measures. We stay home and make as much social contact as possible. You must avoid it, avoid visiting friends and family, and avoid visiting your home. “
The government is raising the infection rate Refused Nphet’s advice Implementing a complete march-style blockade with non-essential retail store closures and a ban on home visits from St. Stephen’s Day today.
Instead, the Republic has begun to enter a third Level-5 blockade with “specific adjustments” on Christmas Eve, following the closure of the hospitality sector.
From today to December 31st, restrictions on residential meetings have been tightened so that only one other household can visit. In the new year, a total ban on home visits will come into effect.
Saturday is also the last day that inter-county travel throughout Ireland is permitted before the return of domestic travel is restricted.
In the north New extended blockade Beginning on St. Stephen’s Day, the region’s toughest series of measures was taken to control the spread of the virus.
The curfew format is open from 8 pm, from which the store closes and all indoor and outdoor gatherings are banned until 6 am.
Non-required retailers will be closed throughout the next 6 weeks, just like closing contact services. Hospitality outlets are limited to takeaway services.
It will be offered as the first shipment of the Covid-19 vaccine Arrived in the republic On Saturday, vaccination will begin on December 30th.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly tweeted. “When is the refrigerator worth taking a picture? When I was just vaccinated with the first #Covid vaccine in Ireland.”
Frontline healthcare professionals and nursing home residents are vaccinated first.
When is the fridge worth taking a picture?First time in Ireland # COVID Vaccine in it ?
The first dose has just arrived and many of them are sitting in that very very cold fridge.
Vaccination will start after 4 days. #holdfirm.. pic.twitter.com/T9zletiOBS
— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) December 26, 2020
The prime minister saidBig hope dayBecause the first vaccine arrived in the first batch of 10,000 times.
However, Micheál Martin warned on Saturday that normality would not recover. At least 6 months In Ireland.
He added that it could be May or June before mass vaccination made a big difference.
By the end of January, the health system should provide three vaccines. Martin said May and June were identified as “significant” months.
“Since summer, we’ve seen some normality, but I can’t say for sure.”
Martin said December’s concerns about the emergence of Covid-19 mutants in parts of England highlighted continued uncertainty.
