A total of 366 more people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ireland, while 11 more people have died.
The latest figures were released by the Department of Health this evening.
Dublin once again reported the highest number of new cases with 84, followed by Limerick with 44.
Both Cork and Donegal each reported a further 34 infections, while Roscommon was next with 24.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “I am increasingly concerned that the positive trends we had seen recently have not been maintained.
“The 5-day moving average of daily cases has increased from an average of 350 cases on the 11 November to 424 today.
“We have two weeks to continue in our efforts to drive down community transmission of this disease as much as possible. The lower the incidence the more flexibility the country will have in easing measures."
Of the cases notified today:
- 169 are men / 197 are women
- 61% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 38 years old
It comes after it emerged that kids could get an extra two days off school for Covid this Christmas.
Labour education spokesman, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, is proposing schools finishing up for the Holidays on Friday December 18th, giving a full week’s run-in to Christmas Day.
This would involve an extra two days, Monday and Tuesday December 21st and 22nd, over what most schools have already planned for.
Mr Ó Ríordáin’s proposal has the support of one of the country’s main teaching unions, ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland) and teachers’ groups.
A plan to close schools for an extra week over the Halloween holidays was floated, but was ultimately decided against.
The argument behind the extra closures is that it would allow for a more spaced-out family gatherings as there would be time to plan for different groups meeting up.
By allowing for just two day’s extra time off, and factoring in the weekend of December 19th and 20th, it would give a full week extra, instead of just two days.
Mr Ó Ríordáin told the Irish Mirror: “I have received support for this idea.
“The promise is that for just two extra days we could create a far greater degree of flexibility for families to plan their Christmas across a longer period.
“I know that ASTI has responded positively to this and I have had many parents come to me saying that it would help them have a better Christmas.
“I hope the Minister for Education (Norma Foley) will look at this favourably.
“It would be good for everyone, parents, teachers and students.”
