BREAKING: Kilkenny among 299 new cases of virus, vaccine could be available here early in New Year
A further two people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 299 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
The overall death toll as a result of the virus now stands at 2,052. There are now 72,241 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: 94 are in Dublin, 41 in Donegal, 27 in Wicklow, 14 in Louth, 13 in Limerick with the remaining 110 cases spread across 20 other counties, including 11 more infections in Kilkenny.
The latest cases were confirmed as Health Minister Stephen Donnelly today said vaccines could be made availble in Ireland early in the New Year.
Mr Donnelly was speaking after the head of the Government’s new taskforce on the delivery of vaccines, Prof Brian MacCraith, said they could start to be distributed by January.
Minister Donnelly said he thinks it is unlikely that the vaccines will be rolled out next month, but added inoculation would start “as soon as possible”.
The minister said the Government has signed up to four vaccines and he will be bringing a memo to Cabinet in relation to a fifth vaccine on Tuesday.
PHOTO: Stock image
