There have been nine further Coronavirus-related deaths and 525 new cases according to figures released by the health authorities this evening.
7 deaths occurred in March, and 2 deaths occurred in February.
The median age of those who died was 76 years and the age range was 64 – 95 years.
Five of today’s cases are in Laois meaning the county’s 14-day rate remains unchanged at 83.8.
Of the cases notified today:
- 255 are men / 265 are women
- 68% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 34 years old
- 266 in Dublin, 33 in Meath, 29 in Wexford, 25 in Offaly, 24 in Donegal, and the remaining 148 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
As of 8am today, 328 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 83 are in ICU. 27 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
As of March 17th, 639,586 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 468,328 people have received their first dose
- 171,258 people have received their second dose
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 19 – 5
- March 18 – 16
- March 17 – 5
- March 16 – 6
- March 15 – 4
- March 14 – 2
- March 13 – 5
- March 12 – 3
- March 11 – 2
- March 10 – 8
- March 9 – 3
- March 8 – 1
- March 7 – 5
- March 6 – 8
- March 5 – 5
14-day case rate in Laois per 100,000 population
- March 19 – 83.8
- March 18 – 83.8
- March 17 – 76.7
- March 16 – 77.9
- March 15 – 86.2
- March 14 – 81.5
- March 13 – 93.3
- March 12 – 103.9
- March 11 – 118.1
- March 10 – 133.4
- March 9 – 135.8
- March 8 – 157
- March 7 – 168.8
- March 6 – 177.1
- March 5 – 183
New cases in Laois during past 14 days
- March 19 – 71
- March 18 – 71
- March 17 – 65
- March 16 – 66
- March 15 – 73
- March 14 – 69
- March 13 – 79
- March 12 – 88
- March 11 – 100
- March 10 – 113
- March 9 – 115
- March 8 – 133
- March 7 – 143
- March 6 – 150
- March 5 – 155
Easing of restrictions from April 5 on the cards
The government are set to meet next week to discuss what changes will be made to Covid-19 restrictions after April 5.
It is believed that changes are being considered in regards to construction, sporting activity for children and travel limits.
According to RTE News, top of the list is a plan to allow those building homes, around 14,000, to return to work.
However, the remaining 20,000 construction workers may not get back on sites until late April or early May.
In sport, allowing children to return to non-contact training is to be considered – along with the resumption golf, tennis and inter-county GAA.
Consideration is also to be given on changing the 5km limit for travel to 20km.
Speaking in Cork, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Government will map out for the public in advance of 5 April what will happen from that point on.
“We do understand and get it that people are fed up,” Mr Martin said.
“I am not going to speculate, but we will give people clear indications in advance of April 5th as to how we see April panning out and I don’t believe in speculating beyond that.”
