The average person who tests positive now has five close contacts, according to the HSE.
Ireland’s test and tracing volume is now at “alarming levels”, according to the CEO of the HSE.
Paul Reid said on Sunday morning that Ireland is now conducting 23,000 tests per day, our highest daily rate thus far.
However, our community positivity rate has now reached 10%, which is particularly worrying for Reid.
He also shared the information that the average person who has tested positive for Covid now has five close contacts, and that tracing calls have gone from less than 10,000 to now over 30,000 per week.
He urged people to review New Year’s plans in attempt to keep people safe.
Testing & tracing volumes now at alarming levels. Our highest daily tests now at 23,000. Community positivity reaching 10%. Close contacts averaging at 5 people. Tracing calls gone from less than 10K to now over 3OK per week. Please review New Year Plans to keep safe. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) December 27, 2020
This comes on the same day that a ban on inter-county travel comes into effect.
However, travel outside your county will be permitted for those returning to their place of residence.
Further restrictions are also in place from today, with indoor visits reduced from two other households to just one other household up to and including 31 December.
These restrictions are being monitored and reviewed, as Ireland had 1,296 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed on Saturday, a record high for the country.
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