There have been 10 further Coronavirus-related deaths and 592 new cases according to the figures released by the health authorities this evening.
8 deaths occurred in March, 1 in February and 1 in January.
The median age of those who died was 75 years and the age range was 0 – 84 years.
8 of the new cases are in Laois meaning the county’s 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 people is now at 133.4 from 138.5 yesterday.
Of the cases notified today:
- 299 are men / 288 are women
- 72% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 32 years old
- 253 in Dublin, 52 in Kildare, 35 in Donegal, 33 in Meath, 28 in Galway and the remaining 191 cases are spread across all other counties
As of 8am today, 359 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 87 are in ICU. 32 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
As of March 8th, 536,617 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 382,528 people have received their first dose
- 154,089 people have received their second dose
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Heath said; “Today marks one year since we reported Ireland’s first death related to COVID-19. More than 4,500 people have lost their lives with this disease. We remember them, and their families and friends, as well as the many people who remain seriously ill or who are dealing with long-term health issues because of COVID-19.
“We now have three vaccines and a fourth authorised by the European Medicines Agency today, which offers us a way out of this pandemic. We must continue to protect as many people as possible from the severe effects of COVID-19 and to give people a chance to become vaccinated over the next number of weeks and months.
“Your efforts to limit contacts and follow the public health advice is not in vain, it is to protect people and it directly saves lives.”
Today, NPHET endorsed new HPSC guidance on nursing home visitation which allows for more regular visiting. The new guidance comes into effect from the 22nd of March 2021.
Professor Martin Cormican, Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, HSE said; “Under the new guidance, Residents may be facilitated to receive two visits per week on general compassionate grounds.
“This will be possible following two weeks after a high proportion of residents and healthcare workers have been vaccinated. There is no requirement to limit visits to less than one hour.
“Nursing home residents have been particularly impacted by the severity of COVID-19 restrictions. Thanks to vaccination we are delighted to be in a position to recommend new guidance and hopefully relieve residents and their families of some of the isolation they have endured for so long.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; “We are seeing continued, slow progress across all indicators of COVID-19. There are some concerning trends in the data and as the incidence remains high, our situation is precarious. Increases in mobility and workplace attendance could potentially increase infection in the coming weeks.
“The R- number is estimated as stable at 0.6-1.0, but it is essential over the next few weeks that we stay home, continue to limit our contacts and suppress transmission.”
Professor Karina Butler, Chair of National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) said; “We welcome the European Medicines Agency’s conclusion that COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen met the criteria for efficacy, safety and quality. Pending EU Commission approval, it could become the fourth effective vaccine available to Ireland which is a very welcome development.”
The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community including daily data on Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
New Cases in Laois
- March 10 – 8
- March 9 – 3
- March 8 – 1
- March 7 – 5
- March 6 – 8
- March 5 – 5
- March 4 – 10
- March 3 – 4
- March 2 – 11
- March 1 – 1
- February 28 – 12
- February 27 – 14
- February 26 – 15
- February 25 – 15
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- March 10 – 133.4
- March 9 – 135.8
- March 8 – 157
- March 7 – 168.8
- March 6 – 177.1
- March 5 – 183
- March 4 – 211.3
- March 3 – 213.7
- March 2 – 231.4
- March 1 – 247.9
- February 28 – 265.7
- February 27 – 259.7
- February 26 – 264.5
- February 25 – 277.5
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- March 10 – 113
- March 9 – 115
- March 8 – 133
- March 7 – 143
- March 6 – 150
- March 5 – 155
- March 4 – 179
- March 3 – 181
- March 2 – 196
- March 1 – 210
- February 28 – 225
- February 27 – 220
- February 26 – 224
- February 25 – 235
Nursing home visits
Nursing home visits are to be increased from March 22.
Gavan Reilly, of Virgin Media News, says that NPHET have taken the decision today.
It will mean that from March 22, two visits per week ‘on general compassionate grounds’ will be introduced.
This is an increase from one per fortnight with a hour hour time limit which is currently in place. It is believed that this time limit will be removed.
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