1,670 people have now died from Coronavirus in Ireland – an increase of seven from yesterday.
Not all of these people passed away today – this is the number that were reported to the Department of Health today.
While there has been a total of 28 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
This is an increase on the total cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 25,163.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “As we move to Phase Two, the Government has introduced a range of new measures in line with the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
“It is our individual behaviours and personal choices that will ultimately influence what course this disease takes over the coming weeks and months.”
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “The reopening of playgrounds in public locations and outdoor amenities including zoos, animal parks and summer camps, as well as the summer education programme for children with special educational needs, are some of the measures that is hoped will ease the severity of this pandemic on children and their families.”
Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “Phase Two provides vulnerable groups scope for home visits of up to 6 people for a short period of time, however it is vitally important that all visits to homes of vulnerable people be compliant with hand hygiene practices, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing of 2 metres.
“It is hoped as we move through phases, that life becomes easier for severely impacted groups but that their safety is maintained at all times.”
Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Wednesday 3 June (25,135 cases), reveals:
· 57% are female and 43% are male
· the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
· 3,312 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
· Of those hospitalised, 410 cases have been admitted to ICU
· 8,046 cases are associated with healthcare workers
· Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,118 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,527 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,419 cases (6%)
· Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 39%, close contact accounts for 59%, travel abroad accounts for 2%
Northern Ireland, the UK and globally
There have been one further death from Coronavirus in Northern Ireland to take the 536.
There have been 3 new cases of Coronavirus, bringing the Northern Ireland total to 4,776.
The UK Coronavirus death toll increased by 357 in past 24 hours, taking total recorded fatalities to 40,261.
There are now a total 6,748,000 cases of Coronavirus globally. There have been more than 394,000 deaths while 3,277,000 have recovered.
House Parties
The chief medical officer has blasted people for throwing house parties in a pandemic.
Dr Tony Holohan claimed gatherings in homes were being organised “with abandon.”
He said: “House parties are being organised with abandon it seems to me – as though we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic.
“I am conscious it can appear to people as though we’re trying to identify every part of pleasurable activity in life and finding some ways of recommending against it – personal behaviour, intimacy, house parties – all these things are things we are recommending against.
“But there are really good public health reasons why now is not the time for these things to happen. If you see a crowd, stay away, if you are invited to something which is crowded, stay away.”
Coronavirus in hospitals
The Health Service Executive has said there are 140 confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital as of this morning.
This is down 85% from a peak of 879 on 13 April, according to HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid.
“Many hospitals across our system now have no confirmed cases,” he added.
Covid-19 payment schemes to be extended but changed
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the wage subsidy scheme have been extended until the end of August but there will be two levels of PUP payment from 29 June.
Those whose prior earnings were above €200 will continue to get €350 per week but those below €199.99 per week, will get a PUP of €203 per week.
A quarter of those receiving the €350 weekly Covid PUP are to have their benefit cut to €203 per week under reforms.
The move will hit part-time and lower paid workers who were earning less than €200 per week prior to the Covid-19 emergency in March.
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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