The Department of Health has confirmed 431 new cases of Covid-19.
They have been notified of six additional death related to the virus.
Of the cases notified today, 185 are men while 244 are women.
Most people -67% - are aged under 45 years of age.
The median age is 35 years old.
🦠 Deputy CMO @ronan_glynn says #COVID19 situation in Ireland is “very fragile”, NPHET is “beginning to see deterioration once again”
💉 On vaccines, says it’s “not envisaged there will be mandatory vaccinations”
— Stephen Murphy (@Stephen_Murphy5) December 16, 2020
Most cases of Covid-19 are in Dublin, where there are 134 cases.
Elsewhere, there are 53 cases in Donegal, 25 in Cavan, 24 in Louth and 22 in Mayo.
The remaining 173 cases are spread across all other counties
Meanwhile, there have been 22 additional hospitalisations in the past twenty-four hours.
In total, there are 207 Covid-19 patients in hospitals - 30 of whom are in intensive care.
The 14 Day Incident Rate is estimated to be 87.9 per 100,000 population.
CMO Warns Virus Has Potential To "Get Out Of Control"
Chief Medical Officer at the HSE Dr Tony Holohan was concerned with the latest data.
"We are seeing significant and concerning indicators that this disease in moving in the wrong direction, including an increase in positivity rates, and 7 day and 14 day incidence, and our 5 day average has now increased to 339 cases."
🦠 Deputy CMO @ronan_glynn says #COVID19 situation in Ireland is “very fragile”, NPHET is “beginning to see deterioration once again”
💉 On vaccines, says it’s “not envisaged there will be mandatory vaccinations”
— Stephen Murphy (@Stephen_Murphy5) December 16, 2020
"Recent international experience has demonstrated just how quickly this disease can get out of control.”
He appealed to the public not to give the virus the "chance" to spread.
"Don’t give COVID-19 this chance: limit your contacts, prioritise who you meet, and let’s remain vigilant so we can get through this together."
