Fifteen new cases of coronavirus have been detected in County Galway according to health officials this evening.
Across the country, a total of 727 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health, but no further deaths related to the disease.
Almost half (311) of the new cases are in Dublin, while 51 are in Kilkenny, 48 in Wexford, 44 in Donegal and 44 in Cork.
62% are under 45 years of age and the median age is 36 years old.
There are 13 people with Covid-19 at University Hospital Galway today, and one at Portiuncula.
Speaking this evening following today’s figures, Dr. Tony Holohan said that the current disease trends are gravely concerning.
“The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent days,” he said. “A total of 3,837 cases have been notified in the past 7 days. The five day rolling average has increased from 339 on 17th December to 616 on 21st December, an 82% increase.
“It is now as important as it was back in March to limit your contacts and protect your loved ones.”
Dr Lorraine Nolan, Chief Executive, Health Products Regulatory Authority, said: “Today we welcome a highly significant announcement from the European Medicines Agency in their recommendation to approve a first vaccine for COVID-19 in Europe.
“It is a key development in our continued efforts to tackling this pandemic. This will become one additional defence in our suite of public health actions to protect us from COVID-19.”
