There were no new Coronavirus death today – meaning 1,753 is the death toll in Ireland now.
While there has been a total of six new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
That means there is now a total of 25,766 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Over the past 14 days, the total number of confirmed cases notified to the HPSC is 270. Of which;
- Males 43% / Females 57%
- Median age is 34 years old; 69% of these cases were under 45 years of age
- 20 counties reported new cases; Dublin 55%, Kildare 10%, Cork 6%. All other counties were 5% or less
Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We are now seeing outbreaks of the virus in a range of work settings, including in construction, in fast food outlets and in supermarkets.
“We can’t underestimate how quickly clusters develop. We have come so far together, but we need to stay vigilant to prevent a resurgence across the whole country in the coming weeks.
“Many workplaces have introduced the new regimes and safety measures necessary to reopen their businesses. I would remind all employers that the workplace and most particularly, shops, services and supermarkets, are the new front line, we are asking you to do everything you can to put the safety of your staff and customers first.
“With the increase in outbreaks in our communities, I would urge everyone to wear face coverings in healthcare settings and when shopping, including in the supermarket and other indoor retail services.”
Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, said; “Our healthcare workers have been at the front line since March and they deserve our best efforts to continue to minimise the spread of this virus.
“The impact of any increase in cases will be hard on healthcare workers, who have already given so much to keep us safe this year.
“Let’s reward their dedicated and unwavering service by holding firm on COVID-19.”
Dr Sumi Dunne, ICGP, said: “COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease – it thrives in crowds. There is no blame in contracting the virus.
“Please stay alert and look out for common symptoms such as a cough or a high temperature. If you suspect you have the symptoms, isolate yourself from other people to contain the virus and come forward for testing by contacting your GP as quickly as possible.
“Testing helps us identify, isolate and contain the virus. It helps to keep the numbers low in our communities. If you haven’t done so already, download the COVID-19 Tracker App – it’s an easy way to keep track of your contacts.”
Dr Vida Hamilton, National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead, Acute Hospitals, HSE, said: “COVID-19 is such a new virus, there is no way to predict how unwell you will feel if you get it. Avoidance is always better than cure. Sticking to the fundamental public health advice is the key to suppressing this virus.
“Don’t underestimate how important it is to keep washing your hands, keep your distance from others, wear face coverings when in healthcare settings, in shops and on public transport, remember to use good cough/sneeze hygiene, these steps are vital to protecting everyone in the community, especially the most vulnerable.”
Vaccine testing success
The coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford appears safe and triggers an immune response.
Trials involving 1,077 people showed the injection led to them making antibodies and T-cells that can fight coronavirus.
The findings are hugely promising, but it is still too soon to know if this is enough to offer protection and larger trials are under way.
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.
