59 people with covid-19 are in intensive care today.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,355* confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As of 8am today, 286 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 59 are in ICU.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said:
“Our ongoing analysis of the epidemiological situation has informed the NPHET recommendation to evolve public health management of school settings from Monday next.
“The resumption of in-person education was associated with a significant increase in the numbers of children referred for testing in recent weeks. This increase was driven by the screening of asymptomatic children who had been identified as close contacts. This action was precautionary and was due to the diligence of parents and guardians bringing their children for tests. Despite significantly increased testing in this age group, there has only been a relatively modest increase in the detection of cases. We have also seen the associated positivity rate decrease from 16% to 5% which is very reassuring.
“Both nationally and internationally, the evidence tells us that schools are a low risk setting for the transmission of COVID-19 among school-going children and, as such, now is the right time to evolve our contact tracing approach, while maintaining the infection prevention and control in place in educational settings.
“NPHET will continue to monitor the trajectory of the disease. It is important that we all continue to adhere to the public health guidance and to protect each other by washing our hands, the wearing of masks where appropriate and by keeping our distance from each other to limit the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
“I would urge parents to keep children who are unwell and who experience the common symptoms of COVID-19 home from school and to contact your GP if you have any concerns.”
*Daily case numbers may change due to future data validation.
Laois Councillors Call For Referendum Commission On Presidential Nominations
Revenue Seize Contraband Worth Over €314k
Midlands First Aid Expert Urges Public To Learn Stroke Signs
Construction Industry Flags Biodiversity Costs In New Building Designs
Strike At Offaly Food Plant Called Off
Westmeath Restaurant Owner Pleads Guilty To €3m Arson Incident
RTÉ Faces Fresh Payments Scandal As NUJ Calls For Transparency
Offaly TD Backs Micheál Martin Despite Party Leadership Pressure
Midlands MEP Calls For EU Action To Slash Energy Prices
Midlands Towns Improve Scores In Tidy Towns Competition
Judge Set To Issue Final Instructions For Jury On €8.4m Midlands Cocaine Case
Planning Permission Lodged For Flood Relief Scheme In Laois
NUJ Criticises Potential Policing Committee Media Ban
New Westmeath Library Opens Its Doors Today
Puska Brother Attacked In Prison
Enterprise Department Confirms Over 80 Westmeath Jobs At Risk
Offaly Teacher Pays Tribute To Colleagues After Winning STEM Award
Asthma Society of Ireland Hold Workshop In Laois This Weekend
Laois TD Calls For Shorter Ambulance Deployment Distance
Uisce Eireann Publish Shannon Pipeline Consultation Submissions Report