Covid-19: 4,407 cases announced as CMO warns of 'unsustainable' case level

CMO Dr Holohan says there has been almost 55,000 cases of Covid-19 in the past 14 days. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

A further 4,407 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed by the Department of Health as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan describes recent case levels as "unsustainable."

Dr Holohan says there has been almost 55,000 cases of Covid-19 confirmed in the past 14 days.

In the last 14 days, we have been notified of almost 55,000 cases of #COVID19. The only time we have had more cases in a 14-day period was in January this year, and, unfortunately, we do expect this figure to increase in the coming days.

— Dr Tony Holohan (@DrTonyHolohan) November 16, 2021

The CMO says the public should be prioritising who they meet up with and "act as though we are close contacts and as though we are at risk of transmitting the virus to others."

"We are more likely to contract Covid-19 from someone we know - a friend, a work colleague, a teammate - than a stranger passing by in a shop or on the bus. Please prioritise who you need to meet.

"Over two million people are now eligible for a booster vaccine, including everyone over 50 and those aged over 16 with underlying medical conditions. It is important that you attend for your booster appointment as soon as it is offered to you.

"Given the risk to you from the current force of infection in the community, it is really important that you minimise, as much as possible, your social contacts, while waiting for your booster.

"Family and friends of all those who will soon be called for a booster should also continue to follow the public health advice, this is the best way to protect your loved one," he said.

Covid-19 hospitalisations remain at 614, with 114 people with the virus being treated in ICU.

Prior to Monday, the last time Covid hospitalisations topped 600 was in February.

Last night, a Cabinet sub-committee on Covid heard that health service is under pressure due to the increased incidence of the virus.

Ministers were told last night that under a worst-case scenario, up to 500 people could need intensive care treatment by December.

The best-case scenario, the meeting heard, is that between 200 and 220 ICU beds will be needed.

Elsewhere, there are 409 patients waiting for beds across hospitals in Ireland.

The INMO Trolley Watch figures that 319 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 90 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

University Hospital Limerick (UHL) is the worst-hit hospital with 95 patients waiting for beds.

UHL is followed by Letterkenny University Hospital (56) and Cork University Hospital (37).