HSE CEO Paul Reid

This morning.

Via RTE News:

Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive Paul Reid has said there has been an acceleration of Covid-19 cases and positivity rates over the last 48 to 72 hours and it would appear that as Ireland exits a Delta wave, it is entering an Omicron wave.

In a worst case scenario, Mr Reid said, the country could be facing a potential 20,000 cases a day.

…..Optimistic modelling estimates case numbers at around 8,000 a day, he said.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Reid said early evidence seems to indicate that Omicron is a less dangerous variant but it is highly transmissible – over five-and-a-half times more transmissible than Delta.

Potential 20,000 daily Covid-19 cases in worst case scenario, says Reid (RTE)

Meanwhile….

Ah here.

RollingNews

A pilfering New Zealand puss called Keith (above) recently stole a trainer, a bong and underwear from neighbours

In Christchurch a larcenous cat
Has recently decided that
It’s possessed of the right
To steal what’s in sight
Which is causing a neighbourhood spat

John Moynes

Pic: Stuff. nz

John will return in the new year.

HSE Vaccination Lead Damien McCallion at the HSE covid briefing in Dr Steevens’ Hospital this afternoon

This afternoon.

Dr Steevens’ Hospital, Dublin 2.

Via RTE News:

Figures provided by the HSE show that vaccines started this week in paediatric hospitals, the portal will open on 28 December for high-risk children, remaining high-risk children will vaccinated from the week of 3 January in vaccination centres with dedicated clinics.

Jabs for all other five to 11 years old will commence on 10 January.

HSE Vaccination Lead Damien McCallion said the roll-out of booster vaccines for younger age groups will be announced by the end of this week (before Christmas).

“Yesterday was our busiest day for swabbing, the demand curve is increasing, what that translates to clinically we have to wait and see.”

Vaccines for 5-11 year olds from 10 January – HSE (RTÉ)

Leah Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Darts.

It’s coming home.

Willie O’Connor eases past Glen Durrant into third round of World Darts Championship (Irish Mirror)

HSE CEO Paul Reid in Dr Steevens’ Hospital this afternoon for the weekly HSE covid briefing

This afternoon.

Over one-third of ICU patients are Covid-positive – HSE (RTÉ)

RollingNews

The Emerging Infectious Disease branch of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

THis afternoon.

Via military minded mag Defense One

Within weeks, scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research expect to announce that they have developed a vaccine that is effective against COVID-19 and all its variants, even Omicron, as well as from previous SARS-origin viruses that have killed millions of people worldwide.

The achievement is the result of almost two years of work on the virus. The Army lab received its first DNA sequencing of the COVID-19 virus in early 2020. Very early on, Walter Reed’s infectious diseases branch decided to focus on making a vaccine that would work against not just the existing strain but all of its potential variants as well.

Unlike existing vaccines, Walter Reed’s SpFN uses a soccer ball-shaped protein with 24 faces for its vaccine, which allows scientists to attach the spikes of multiple coronavirus strains on different faces of the protein.

*makes theatrical kicking motion*

Back of the net.

US Army Creates Single Vaccine Against All COVID & SARS Variants, Researchers Say (Defense One)

A Rabbi gets vaccinated in Tel Aviv, Israel last year

Last night/this morning.

Via Washington Post:

In what it’s calling a global first, Israel’s Health Ministry announced that it will offer a fourth coronavirus vaccine shot to citizens 60 and older and other at-risk groups as concerns about the omicron variant proliferate.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he ordered the government to immediately prepare for distributing fourth doses.

“As we did with the booster in the delta surge, we intend to be active and groundbreaking, and do everything to win,” he tweeted. “The world will follow us.”

Israel says it will become first nation to offer fourth coronavirus vaccine dose: ‘The world will follow us’ (Washington Post)

AP

Meanwhile….

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has said that a fourth vaccination will be necessary in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic due to the more contagious Omicron variant.

He said that Germany has ordered 80 million doses of a vaccine made by Biontech specifically targeting Omicron and should arrive in April or May.

Germany has also ordered four million doses of the newly approved vaccine Novavax – seen as more acceptable to vaccine sceptics – and 11 million doses of the new Valneva shot, which is waiting for marketing authorisation, Mr Lauterbach said.

Fourth Covid-19 jab needed – German health minister (RTÉ)

Meanwhile…

Chief Medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said there is “a substantial job to do” to issue a third vaccine to those over 40 who are at risk of severe infection and he asked them to come forward.

He said that “vaccines really work, particularly when boosted, in preventing infection from becoming severe infection and we expect that to be the case with Omicron”.

“Don’t put off the opportunity to be vaccinated if it comes your way,” he added.

Rapid rise in Covid cases in 16-34 age group – Holohan (RTE)

Broadsheet.ie