LATEST: Kilkenny among 7,836 new cases of virus as raft of tighter restrictions announced
A further 17 people have died after contracting the coronavirus as a record 7,836 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 2,229. There has now been 121,154 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The breakdown of the latest cases is as follows:
2,263 in Dublin, 1,373 in Cork, 496 in Louth, 345 in Limerick, 340 in Meath and the remaining 3,019 cases are spread across all other counties, including 85 further infections in Kilkenny.
Earlier this afternoon, Taoiseach Michéal Martin, along with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Education Minister Norma Foley, and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan announced further Covid-19 restrictions which will be in place until January 31.
As part of the restrictions:
- Schools will remain closed until January 31, except for Leaving Certificate classes which must attend school three days a week.
- All construction will conclude at 6pm this Friday, January 8 except for essential construction projects.
- A travel ban on all travellers from the UK and South Africa has been extended until Saturday. From Saturday, all travellers from those countries must have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling to Ireland.
- Click and collect retail will be replaced by delivery only services.
PHOTO: Stock image
