More cases in November than previous peak in January

Nearly 18,000 more Covid cases were reported last month than during the previous peak in January.

Almost 123,000 were confirmed during November – compared to less than 105,000 in January.

From Friday, overseas travellers to Ireland will require a negative PCR or professionally conducted antigen test, due to the Omicron variant.

Former HSE director-general, Tony O’Brien, says that it’s the right decision.

“It is prudent to have a requirement that no one can board a plane or a ferry without knowing their Covid status.

“In other words, we don’t want Covid positive people embarking on travel, or arriving into Ireland.

“I think it’s a prudent and sensible decision, and with antigen testing it does have to be a professionally carried out antigen test, because a self test is of very limited value in the context of travel.”