Coronavirus: 611 new cases as system of fines to be examined for breaches of regulations

Alan Hartnett

7th October 2020

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of five additional death related to COVID-19.

All of these have passed away since the start of October.

There has been a total of 1,816 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Tuesday October 6, the HPSC has been notified of 611 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There is now a total of 39,584 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

303 are men / 305 are women
59% are under 45 years of age
50% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
83 cases have been identified as community transmission
218 in Dublin, 63 in Cork, 60 in Donegal, 35 in Galway, 31 in Kildare and the remaining 204 are located across 21 counties.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “All key indicators of the disease have deteriorated further in the three days since the last meeting of NPHET on Sunday 4^th October. COVID-19 is spreading in our community in a very worrying manner. We have to break these chains of transmission.”

“80 COVID-19 cases were hospitalised in August, 206 in September and 77 so far in October.

“In August, 4 COVID-19 related deaths in total were reported, 34 in September and today on the 7^th of October we report 8 COVID-19 related deaths this month.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Trends in case numbers and incidence are now being reflected in indicators of disease severity. The number of people in hospital has increased from 122 last Thursday to 156 this afternoon. There are currently 25 people in critical care compared to 20 one week ago.”

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said “Case numbers and hospitalisations are growing exponentially. The Reproductive number is now estimated at 1.2. If we fail to reduce viral transmission nationwide immediately, we could see 1,100 – 1,500 cases per day and 300-450 people in hospital by November 7^th.”

Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead; “I urge everyone to remind themselves of what they can do on an individual level to suppress the virus and prevent a surge on hospital demands. Currently, the average length of stay of a COVID-19 patient is 20 days in hospital and 14 days in ICU.

“ICU is the last stop in the care pathway for any illness. Focus on prevention and follow public health advice to ensure care pathways are available to as many people and treatments as possible.”

Taoiseach considering fines

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed the Government is looking at the question of fines in relation to enforcing Covid-19 restrictions.

He told the Dáil that the State’s Oversight Committee met this morning to examine ways to enforce Level 3 restrictions.

Speaking at the publication of the Climate Action Bill this afternoon, Mr Martin said said a review of existing legislation is under way with a view to introducing “graduated and proportionate fines for minor breaches of regulations”.

SEE FULL REPORT HERE

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: