There has been a total of 363 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
That means that there is now a total of 35,740 cases notified in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today; 154 cases are in Dublin, 40 in Cork, 23 in Donegal, 16 in Wexford, 15 in Roscommon, 14 in Galway, 14 in Monaghan, 11 in Kildare, 11 in Meath, 11 in Wicklow, 9 in Limerick, 6 in Clare, 5 in Mayo, 5 in Tipperary with the remaining 29 cases in 9 counties.
Sadly, there has been one further death – meaning 1,803 is the death toll.
Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Public buy-in and willingness to adhere to public health guidance remains the frontline of our defence against the spread of COVID-19.
“The vast majority of people continue to take the necessary steps in their everyday activities to protect themselves and others.
“If you start to experience symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP to assess your need for a COVID-19 test as soon as possible.
“If you have been informed that you are a close contact of someone who has the illness, please don’t meet up with other people, including your family or friends, don’t go to work or college, don’t play sport, and avail of a test when it is offered.
“I know that these are difficult choices for people to make, but each individual effort will make a significant impact on the spread of this disease and, ultimately, on the numbers of deaths that we can prevent this winter.”
Warning issued to four more counties
Cork, Galways, Monaghan and Roscommon are the latest four counties to concern NPHET following an increase in their Covid-19 numbers.
The national average right now is 84 cases per 100,000 and some counties are approaching that figure – or have gone over it.
The latest figures provided by Dr Ronan Glynn show Co Monaghan is now up to 116 cases per 100,000 people.
The 14-day incidence rate for Roscommon is in line with national average at 84 cases per 100,000 people – but the worry here is the incidence of the disease in this mainly rural county has actually increased by 123% over the past seven days alone.
Cork is at 66 cases per 100,000 but it has been increasing for about three weeks and gone up by as much as 103% in the past seven days.
Galway, just like Cork, has been growing for some weeks and has shot up by 94% in the past week alone. Here, the increase has been driven by significant clusters of Covid-19 associated with young people and house parties
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for getting COVID-19:
- Distance – the risk of getting COVID-19 increases as the distance between you and others gets smaller. Keep 2 metres apart where possible
- Activity – How you spend time with people and what you do with them can increase your risk. Follow the government’s Stay Safe Guidelines when spending time with others
- Time – The more time you spend in close contact with other people can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Keep track of who you spend time with and how
- Environment – Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. Where possible, meet with others outdoors. If this is not possible, keep windows and doors open when meeting others inside
- Symptoms – Know the symptoms. If you have them self-isolate and contact your GP immediately
Public Health Advice for all citizens available here:
Know the symptoms of COVID-19
- a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- flu like symptoms
