LATEST: Kilkenny among 3,231 new cases of virus as 60 further deaths confirmed, hospitals now operating at ‘surge capacity’ – HSE chief
A further 60 people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 3,231 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
Of these, 59 deaths occurred in January 2021. One death occurred in December 2020.
It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 2,595. There have now been 169,780 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: 931 cases are in Dublin, 388 in Cork, 238 in Louth, 155 in Waterford, 151 in Limerick, with the remaining 1,368 cases are spread across all other counties, including 40 further infections in Kilkenny.
The latest cases were confirmed as Health Services Executive (HSE) chief executive Paul Reid warned the hospital system is coming under significant strain due to the surge in Covid cases.
Mr Reid told RTÉ’s Speaking on Saturday with Katie Hannon: “We have formally gone into surge capacity. We are seeing families and young people being treated. This virus affects everybody.
“In terms of beds, we now have 313 available beds, up from 285 before surge capacity.”
There are 1,850 Covid patients being treated in hospitals today, with 191 of those in ICU, Mr Reid confirmed.
