Almost 90% of Covid-19 cases in Ireland are the B117 variant.

The highly contagious strain of the virus is complicating plans to ease Level 5 restrictions after March 5th, with health experts describing the situation as ‘precarious.’

A further 57 deaths and 650 new cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, as the death toll in Ireland crept past 4,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Of the new cases, 192 are in Dublin, with 53 in Galway, 50 in Meath, 46 in Kildare, 46 in Cork and the remaining 263 cases spread across 19 other counties. Right now, 831 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 154 are in ICU.

“Although we have made great progress, the situation remains precarious.” said Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

“Almost 90% of cases in Ireland are the B117 variant. The increased transmissibility of this variant is apparent in the current profile of the disease in households, with one in three household contacts of a confirmed case testing positive for Covid-19.

“This underlines the need for people to exercise caution in households and other settings. In particular, people should isolate immediately on experiencing any symptoms and contact their GP.”

Weekly positivity rate from testing has reduced again to 5.4%. More progress. However positivity rates for close contacts is at 25% & for household contacts it’s at 33%. This indicates the high transmission levels of the current B117 (UK) variant. So take care. #COVID19 @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) February 18, 2021

Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid said that progress is significant but slow: “Weekly positivity rate from testing has reduced again to 5.4%.” he tweeted.

“More progress. However, positivity rates for close contacts is at 25% & for household contacts it’s at 33%. This indicates the high transmission levels of the current B117 (UK) variant. So take care.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has suggested that classrooms are likely to reopen to Junior and Senior Infants on March 1st, although no date has been confirmed.

Vaccine rollout

As of Sunday, February 14th, there have been 271,942 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine administered in Ireland and 91,750 people have received their second dose.

Ireland’s vaccination rollout is expected to get a boost from April on, with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar confirming that one million doses will be arriving monthly between April and June.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said his grandmother Fran, who is 101, has now received her first dose of the vaccine.

“I haven’t seen her since this horrible virus arrived here. I miss her.” he tweeted.

“She’s 101 years old, and this is her getting her first vaccine dose earlier today. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again.”

This is my granny, Fran. (best Christmas presents as a kid) I haven’t seen her since this horrible virus arrived here. I miss her. She’s 101 years old, and this is her getting her first vaccine dose earlier today. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again. pic.twitter.com/kDQzHwcMa2

— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) February 17, 2021