CMO: Latest rise in Covid-19 cases shows 'unpredictable nature' of the virus

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan: "If we can keep up high levels of compliance, we can get to where we need to be on the 1st December." Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

The latest rise in new Covid-19 cases highlights the “unpredictable nature” of the deadly virus, according to Dr Tony Holohan.

On Friday evening, it emerged there have been seven more deaths and 482 new cases.

While the Chief Medical Officer commended people for their efforts in stopping the spread of the deadly virus, he again urged people to keep social distancing and taking other precautions.

This was so, he said, we can “get to where we need to be on December 1”.

Some 128 of the new cases are in Dublin, 45 are in Cork, 43 are in Waterford, 24 are in Donegal, 24 are in Meath, 36 are in Limerick and the remaining 182 cases are spread across 20 other counties.

As of 2pm, 258 Covid-19 patients were in hospital, of which 35 were in intensive care units, and there were a total of 12 additional hospitalizations.

That amounts to 34 fewer in hospital, two fewer cases in intensive care, and 12 less additional hospitalizations compared with seven days previously.

Dr Holohan said: “The case numbers (are) an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of this highly infectious disease.

“The hard work undertaken by all of us is to be commended, but we must not allow our success let us drop our guard against the spread of this disease.

“We need to hold firm to public health advice: keep two-metre distance, wash hands, wear face coverings where appropriate and limit ourselves to essential contacts from our own household.

If we can keep up high levels of compliance, we can get to where we need to be on December 1.

The latest figures are a stark contrast to those on Monday, November 9, when there was one death, and 270 new cases.

This compared with a high of 542 new cases the day before, and the 16 deaths reported on Tuesday, November 10.

Figures for the past week show how quickly things can change for the better and for the worst.

For example, on November 6, eight new deaths were recorded.

Four days later, one was recorded.

But the next day, there were 16 deaths recorded - of which 14 were new deaths confirmed for the month of November.

The latest figures also show the extent to which the virus is spreading around the country.

For example, on Friday, November 6, new cases were detected in 24 counties.

Seven days later, this had increased to 26 counties.

Earlier in the day, it emerged that another 607 people tested positive for Covid-19 and a further 11 deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland.

The figures come after Northern Ireland political parties had been at loggerheads over how to exit the current circuit-breaker restrictions.

The decision has raised concern in the Republic, where the infection rate is four times lower than Northern Ireland.