54 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
That is a big increase on the 169 cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 223.
30 of the new cases are male while 24 are female. 41 come from the East of the country, 11 from the South and 2 in the North West.
On this day last week, we had 24 cases so seven days later, there are almost 200 more. To date, two people have died from the illness.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he expects to see a 30% increase in Coronavirus cases every day.
In total, he told reporters that we could have 15,000 cases of Coid-19 in Ireland by the end of the month.
Varadkar said that most of these will not require hospital treatment but that some will need ICU critical care.
Aintree Grand National
That has become the latest major sporting event to be cancelled.
The horse racing showpiece has just been called off for 2020 by organisers.
Croke Park
The news comes on the same day that it was confirmed Croke Park is to be used as a Covid-19 drive-though testing centre.
The GAA has offered its national stadium for testing and are in discussions with the HSE, given no matches are being played at the Dublin 3 venue at present.
It would be a by-appointment-only drive through centre rather than a drop-in facility.
Travel
Tánaiste Simon Coveney said the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended that all Irish citizens be advised against all non-essential travel overseas from now until 29 March.
The guidance includes the UK but not Northern Ireland.
Property Tax
Revenue has announced it is deferring the collection of Local Property Tax for those paying by Annual Debit Instruction or Single Debit Authority payment.
Payments using these mechanisms had been due by 21 March.
However, in a statement Revenue said the deduction date will now change to 21 May 2020.
Important information
Symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties.
Further resources:
- The HSE: Official advice on the coronavirus in Ireland. This is being updated based on the number of confirmed cases and how the virus spreads in Ireland.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs: Official advice on where to avoid travelling to. Also a resource for those who are abroad.
- The World Health Organization (WHO): The UN agency on global public health publishes statements and daily situation reports based on the latest data.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency on the number of cases, deaths and how it’s spreading in Europe.
- The Johns Hopkins University map: A heat map of the confirmed cases across the world.
A helpline for older people who are concerned about the coronavirus has been launched by Alone. The number is 0818 222 024, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.
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