Over 16,000 Covid tests carried out locally in November

As infection rates of Covid-19 remain worrying high across the county, it has emerged there were 16,318 tests for Covid-19 carried out in Meath during the month of November alone, and a total of 92,505 tests were carried out here this year so far. The total figure for tests carried out in Meath in 2020 was 38,686.

Covid-19 rates in Meath remain very high with twelve people were in hospital in Navan with the virus last night (Tuesday). Two of those patients were in critical care beds.

Meanwhile, over in Drogheda there were a further 29 patients in hospital with the virus

Yesterday, public health officials confirmed 5,590 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic to 602,726.

A total of 544 people were in hospital with Covid-19 yesterday, including 118 who were in ICU.

The weekly death rate, which was reported last Wednesday was 55, bringing the total death toll from Covid-19 to 5,707.

The Laytown /Bettystown area continues to have an extremely high infection rate with 618 new cases in the two week period to 29th November and an incidence rate of 1,811 per 100,000 of population.

The national average is 1316.9 per 100,000.

Kells had the lowest rate in Meath with 387 new cases and a rate of 1,194.5, while all the other electoral areas in the county were above the average figure.

Ashbourne had 502 new cases and a rate of 1,726.2, Ratoath had 573 cases and a rate of 1719.8,

Trim had 467 cases and a rate of 1,495, while Navan had 463 new cases and a rate of 1,325.5.

To date, 7,434,687 Covid 19 vaccines have been administered in Ireland with 91.48 per cent of the population vaccinated.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said: “During these winter months it is vital that if any of us experience symptoms of Covid-19, we isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test.

“We all know the actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 – good hand hygiene, wearing a face covering, meeting others outdoors where possible and, when indoors, opening windows and ensuring good ventilation, keeping our distance and, of course, coming forward for vaccination and booster dose when eligible.”