There have been 10 further Coronavirus-related deaths and 617 new cases, according to figures released by the health authorities today.
Of those who died, seven occurred in April with one each in March, February and January.
The median age of those who died was 82 years and the age range was 62 – 104 years.
With five new cases announced today, Laois now has a 14-day incidence rate of 119.2 – another drop and we are now down to ninth highest in the country.
Of the cases notified today:
- 299 are men / 318 are women
- 70% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 33 years old
- 236 in Dublin, 84 in Donegal, 37 in Kildare, 34 in Tipperary, 30 in Offaly and the remaining 196 cases are spread across 20 other counties
As of 8am today, 176 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 48 are in ICU. 19 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
As of April 20th, 2021, 1,240,965 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 878,823 people have received their first dose
- 362,142 people have received their second dose
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “We are in a strong position in that transmission levels have reduced substantially and the roll-out of vaccination is protecting more and more of those at risk from the severe effects of COVID-19.
“If we can maintain our current position there is hope that we can look forward to a real easing of measures, but it is as important as ever that we don’t put that progress at risk by letting our collective guard down too much, or too early.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group said; “The R number is estimated as being very close to 1.0.
“We continue to keep close contacts at 2.6 – a phenomenal testament to the public in keeping social transmission low. All indicators of the disease are stable or declining slowly, though we may see an increase in cases over the coming days.
“Maintaining this over the coming weeks is key to managing community transmission, and a move towards easing of measures.”
Professor Martin Cormican, Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, HSE & Professor of Bacteriology at NUI Galway said; “The benefits of vaccination in Nursing Homes and long-term residential care facilities are now very clear with a dramatic drop in the number of residents and staff developing severe disease.
“New visitation guidance agreed by NPHET today represents another step to support residents in long term residential care facilities in maintaining meaningful relationships with their family and friends.
“From the 4th May, nursing home residents – in which most residents are fully vaccinated – can expect 4 visits with 2 people per week.”
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
- April 21 – 5
- April 20 – 7
- April 19 – 7
- April 18 – 2
- April 17 – 2
- April 16 – 10
- April 15 – 11
- April 14 – 8
- April 13 – 9
- April 12 – 6
- April 11 – 12
- April 10 – 2
- April 9 – 15
- April 8 – 7
- April 7 – 13
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- April 21 – 119.2
- April 20 – 126.3
- April 19 – 124
- April 18 – 129.9
- April 16/17 – Not Provided
- April 15 – 160.6
- April 14 – 178.3
- April 13 – 188.9
- April 12 – 196
- April 11 – 201.9
- April 9/10 – Not Provided
- April 8 – 231.4
- April 7 – 240.6
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- April 21 – 101
- April 20 – 107
- April 19 – 105
- April 18 – 110
- April 17 – Not Provided
- April 16 – 146
- April 15 – 136
- April 14 – 151
- April 13 – 160
- April 12 – 166
- April 11 – 171
- April 10 – 195
- April 9 – 211
- April 8 – 196
- April 7 – 204
Outbreak of Covid on Intel construction site in Leixlip
Intel has confirmed there has been an outbreak of Covid-19 on the construction site for its new manufacturing facility in Leixlip, Kildare.
In a statement to RTÉ, a spokesperson estimated the number of cases at “approximately 70” but described the situation as “fluid”.
They said: “We are working to support our construction team in whatever way we can – to understand what has happened in this situation and how it can be addressed with corrective measures.
“For all confirmed cases, contact tracing was conducted and any other workers who may have been exposed have been required to self-quarantine and monitor their health.
“Additional testing of workers at the construction site is being carried out and any affected areas are subject to deep cleaning and disinfection.”
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