Covid Surge Capacity? November 16, 2021 Admin Irish News </p> <h2></h2> <p> Are we accessing extra ICU beds though the Government’s ‘surge capacity’ deal with private hospitals yet? Kieran Cuddihy would like to know.<br /> <br /> A further 4,570 COVID cases have been reported this evening.<br /> <br /> This morning, there were 622 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals – a 25% increase on this day last week.<br /> <br /> There were 117 in intensive care – a 50% increase on last week.<br /> <br /> The five-day moving average has increased to 4,436.<br /> <br /> The Taoiseach has said he supports making antigen tests “more affordable”, amid growing public concerns over the cost and availability of the rapid tests.<br /> <br /> NPHET and health officials have started recommending the wider use of antigen tests across society.<br /> <br /> In his letter to Government last week, Dr Tony Holohan said people who regularly engage in “higher risk activities” should consider self-testing at least twice weekly.<br /> <br /> Those activities include going to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, the cinema, multi-household visits, playing indoor contact sports, and car-sharing with people from other households<br /> <br /> It’s among the recommendations now set to be considered by ministers when they meet this evening and tomorrow to review the current COVID situation.<br /> <br /> There have already been reports of the rapid tests being more difficult to find in shops as people start self-testing more regularly.<br /> <br /> Credit to : Newstalk</p> <p> Please support our Sponsors here --
