There have been 59 new Covid-19 cases in Cork in the past 24 hours.

As the Government prepares to introduce a raft of new restrictions across the country from Christmas Eve, Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said the situation in Ireland is “of grave concern”.

The HPSC was notified of 970 new cases yesterday, with 13 further deaths from the disease. 238 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 28 are in ICU.

“In the last seven days to midnight Monday, we have reported 4,478 cases, an increase of more than 110% over the preceding week,” said Dr Holohan.

“In the last five days, we have seen extraordinary growth in the incidence of the virus across the country, significantly increasing the level of risk associated with the kind of inter-generational mixing that is normally experienced over the Christmas holidays.

‘It is up to each one of us’

“To protect ourselves, our families and our vulnerable loved ones in particular, further economic and social restrictions will begin to be introduced from Christmas Eve. It is up to each one of us to rethink our plans for this Christmas period, especially when it comes to visiting older or more medically vulnerable family members and friends.”

Dr Holohans said that while the authorisation of the first Covid-19 vaccine by the European Commission yesterday “gives us cause for hope”, widespread vaccination of the population will take time.

“We need to continue to adhere to the public health advice on handwashing, keeping 2m distance, wearing face coverings where appropriate, covering our coughs and reducing our social contacts for the duration of the Level 5 restrictions,” he said.

“By working together we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard our schools and our hospitals.”