LATEST: Kilkenny among 379 new cases of virus as deaths surpass 2,000
A further 12 more people have died after contracting the coronvairus as 379 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 2,006. There are now 69,058 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: Dublin accounts for 116 of the cases, 38 are in Donegal, 30 were confirmed in Meath, 27 in Cork, 22 in Limerick, 22 in Louth. The remaining 124 cases are spread across all other counties including Kilkenny.
The latest cases were confirmed as more positive news emerged today in the race to find a vaccine for Covid-19.
Pfizer Inc said final results from the late-stage trial of its Covid vaccine show it was 95% effective.
The Irish-based drugmaker said the effectiveness of the vaccine developed with German partner BioNTech was consistent across age and ethnicity demographics.
It also said there were no major side effects, a sign that the immunisation could be employed broadly around the world.
The final analysis comes just one week after initial results from the trial showed the vaccine was more than 90% effective.
Moderna on Monday released preliminary data for its vaccine, showing similar effectiveness.
The better-than-expected data from the two vaccines have raised hopes for an end to the pandemic that has killed more than 1.3 million people globally and wreaked havoc upon economies and daily lives.
PHOTO: Stock image
