Coronavirus: 37 Deaths Recorded Today

News updates for 24th April 2020.

Latest update:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 37 people with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in Ireland have died.

The HPSC has also been informed that, to date, 185 probable deaths* have occurred.

Therefore, there have now been 1,014** confirmed COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of 1pm Friday 24th April, the HPSC has been notified of 577 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 18,184 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Wednesday 22nd April (17,420 cases), reveals:

·        57% are female and 43% are male

·        the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years

·        2,486 cases (14%) have been hospitalised

·        Of those hospitalised, 338 cases have been admitted to ICU

·        4,713 cases are associated with healthcare workers

·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 8,729 (50% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,096 cases (6%)

·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 49%, close contact accounts for 47%, travel abroad accounts for 4%

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today to continue its ongoing review of Ireland’s response to COVID-19.

Following the meeting, NPHET recommends adopting the ECDC case definition on testing for COVID-19. The NPHET also recommends retention of the current prioritisation categories.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan has details on the settings people died in:

Locally, there are now 828 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the midlands.

Westmeath continues to have the highest rate - now standing at 409, an increase of 14 from yesterday.

In Offaly, that figure is 217, a jump of 12 from yesterday.

And in Laois there are now 202 confirmed cases, up from 192.

Wider testing needed:

We need more widespread Covid-19 testing before any restrictions can be lifted, according to a leading expert.

The National Public Health Emergency Team is currently meeting to  to discuss changing who is eligible for a test.

Currently only those in priority groups with two or more symptoms can get tested.

Professor Anthony Staines, from DCU's school of nursing, says more testing will give us a better picture of how prevalent the virus is in the community:

Travel:

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has committed to providing more 'real-time' traffic data.

It claimed yesterday traffic volume on the national primary roads was 'in line' with previous weeks, based on figures obtained on Monday.

However, the state's Chief Medical Officer last night provided data which appeared to contradict this.

Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of the Taoiseach clarified TII's information this morning:

Stick to guidelines:

The Health Minister has called on people to strictly adhere to the public health guidelines over the next 11 days.

It follows evidence that more people are leaving their homes and stretching the boundaries of the Coronavirus restrictions.

The government has said it's monitoring the situation and potential flouting of the laws.

Health Minister Simon Harris says it's crucial people work together to suppress the spread of the virus.

Leaving Cert:

A start date for the Leaving Cert has been confirmed by the Minister for Education - it's Wednesday July 29th.

Joe McHugh last night told the Dáil a schedule for the exams will be released in the first week of June.

The confirmation of a start time for the exams been welcomed by teachers' unions.

President of the TUI, Seamus Lahart, says the exam timetable will also impact the start date for the new college year:

Garda Dog Cujo would like to remind the public to "keep
their eye on the ball" this weekend when it comes to adhering to
government guidelines on essential travel and exercising within 2km of the
home.#WeAreInThisTogether #StayHomeStaySafe #WashYourHands#SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/nYfyY12YKi

— Garda Info (@gardainfo) April 24, 2020

WHO: 

The World Health Organisation has had a five-fold increase in the number of cyber-attacks against its staff since the pandemic began. 

This week, 450 active WHO email addresses and passwords were leaked online. 

The number of cases of coronavirus across the world has now increased to 2.7 million, with 190,000 deaths.

The WHO's director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus, is warning countries against becoming complacent, as the rate of growth slows. 

Meeting:

The criteria for who can be tested for Covid-19 is likely to be broadened later. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning to assess the country's response to the pandemic, and to consider how any of the current restrictions could be lifted next month. 

The death toll from Covid-19 has risen to 794, after a further 28 patients died. 

936 new cases have also been detected, which is the highest daily increase, and brings the number of positive tests to 17,607.

There's now 792 confirmed cases in the midlands, 395 in Westmeath, 205 in Offaly and 192 in Laois. 

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan says today's meeting will look at increasing testing:

Boris Back:

The British Prime Minister's reportedly going back to work next week.

Boris Johnson's told government aides to schedule meetings with cabinet ministers to get him back up to speed, according to the Telegraph.

He's been recovering at Chequers after being treated in intensive care for Covid-19.

Downing Street says no final decision's been made on the PM's return. 

Latest Figures:

There are now 792 confirmed cases in the midlands.

The figure stands at 395 in Westmeath, up nine.

In Offaly, it's now 205, up seven.

And Laois has 192 confirmed cases, a jump of five.