Higher Covid Case Numbers Expected Next Week, While New Strain Of Virus Identified In Ireland

The national Public Health Emergency Team says Ireland will likely record higher Covid cases than previously expected during the first week of March.

613 new cases of the virus as well as 35 deaths were reported yesterday
The number of people in public hospitals with the virus dropped to 585 last night, with 141 in ICUs.
Last week, NPHET said Ireland could record between 400 and 500 cases per day by next week.

However Ireland has recorded its first case of another new B1-525 strain of covid 19.
NPHET says this variant could have an impact on vaccine effectiveness, however more studies need to be done.

But Professor Philip Nolan, who chairs its modelling group, says the actual number will likely be higher.