63 Covid-related deaths confirmed as CMO anticipates rise in fatalities over coming weeks
24/08/2021 Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said that while vaccination has helped to prevent many serious illnesses and deaths, the virus still poses a threat. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The Chief Medical Officer has warned that compliance with the basic public health measured will be critical in the weeks ahead as restrictions ease and infection rates remain high.
Dr Tony Holohan's words come as 2,148 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
A further 63 deaths have been notified in the past seven days bringing the death toll in the State to 5,369.
The five-day moving average currently stands at 1,937.
Incidence remains high across the country and is increasing across all age groups.
Dr Holohan reminded people that while vaccination has helped to prevent many serious illnesses and deaths, the virus still poses a threat.
"Covid-19 is one of the most contagious viruses we have ever experienced.
The CMO said there is "no question" that there has been a drop in the collective adherence to public health measures.
The worrying and concerning increase in the number of cases, hospitalisations and admissions to ICU are expected to lead to a rise in the number of deaths reported, said Dr Holohan.
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group highlighted the impact that the vaccine has had on case numbers and hospital admissions.
Comparing figures between the first half of this year and the second half so far, Prof Nolan said: "We have had 79% the number of cases notified but only 55% the number of hospitalisations.
"So you are seeing there the additional protection of vaccination. If you become infected it offers an additional protection against needing to be hospitalised.
"We had 45% the number of admissions to ICU and only 15% the deaths."
The median age of cases has increased over recent weeks and now stands at 36 years and is approaching the median age of the population which is 38.
Prof Nolan said this indicated that risk of infection is evenly distributed across the population.
"This also shows us that higher levels of socialisation rather than a waning of vaccine efficacy is the cause of this uptick in cases.
"Vaccination offers very high protection against severe disease, but incomplete protection against infection and onward transmission."
With over 30% of the eligible population under the age of 18 not fully vaccinated, parents and guardians are being urged to re-evaluate their position on vaccination.
Those who have concerns about getting their child vaccinated are advised to contact their GP or other healthcare professionals to get expert advice and information to address these concerns.
As of 8am this morning, there are 464 Covid patients in hospital - down nine on yesterday.
Of these, 86 are in intensive care which is an increase of 12 in the past 24 hours.
Overall, there are 449 admitted patients waiting for beds in Irish hospitals, an increase of 33 on Tuesday's figures.
According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 373 patients are waiting in emergency departments, while 76 are waiting in wards elsewhere in the hospital.
Tipperary University Hospital (TUH) has the highest number of patients on trolleys with 54, followed by Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) with 48 and Cork University Hospital (CUH) with 46.
The Mercy Hospital in Cork currently has 15 patients waiting on trolleys in their emergency department.
The booster vaccinations are underway for those aged 80 and older, 65 or older and living in a nursing home or long-term care facility and, following a review by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), will also now be administered to those aged over 60.
All people who are eligible for a booster vaccine are urged to avail of it when it is offered to them.
The Irish Pharmacy Union has criticised the Minister for Health and the HSE for failing to include pharmacies in the booster vaccine rollout calling it a major mistake.
Darragh O’Loughlin, Secretary General of the IPU said it is unconscionable that pharmacies are excluded given the success of their involvement in the initial vaccination campaign.
The union believes it will slow down the process and will compound the pressure on GPs who have said they are already overstretched.
"Several months after the primary vaccination campaign started in Ireland, pharmacies were finally enlisted in June. That proved to be a turning point with tens of thousands of people able to avail of vaccines in the convenience of their own community," said Mr O'Loughlin.
"Earlier in the year, pharmacies had to campaign for a role in Covid vaccinations.
"Having now proven the successful role the sector can play, it is hugely frustrating to be overlooked once again."
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