Coronavirus: 41 New Deaths Confirmed

Latest news updates for 14th April 2020.

17.48 - Latest Figures

A further 41 people are confirmed to have died from Covid19 in the Republic. 

548 new cases confirmed today too, along with 284 back from a German lab. 

It now brings the death toll to 406 & the number of confirmed cases stands at 11,479.

There's now 479 confirmed cases in the Midlands. 

Westmeath has the highest with 234 up 21 from yesterday, Offaly has 144, which is a rise 11 and Laois has 101, which is a jump of 13. 

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 41 people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died.

·        36 deaths located in the east, 4 in the west, 1 in the south of the country

·        the people included 16 females and 25 males

·        the median age of today’s reported deaths is 85

·        31 people were reported as having underlying health conditions

There have now been 406 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of 1pm Tuesday 14th April, the HPSC has been notified of the following cases;

·        An additional 548 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by Irish laboratories

·        An additional 284 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by a laboratory in Germany

With the latest figures from Germany included, there are now a total of 11,479 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.

As of midnight Monday 13^th April, 90,646 tests have been carried out. Of these tests;

·        62,952 have been completed in Irish laboratories

·        27,694 completed in a laboratory in Germany

Over the past week, 20,468 tests were carried out in Irish laboratories and of these 4,233 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 21%.

Dr. Cillian De Gascun, Chair of NPHET’s Expert Advisory Group said; “Having come through a challenging few weeks, we have significantly strengthened testing capacity and will continue to do so over the coming week, to put us in a very strong position to identify and suppress the virus.”

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 12th April (10,385 cases), reveals:

·        54% are female and 45% are male, with 408 clusters involving 1,999 cases

·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

·        1,903 cases (18%) have been hospitalised

·        Of those hospitalised, 275 cases have been admitted to ICU

·        2,707 cases are associated with healthcare workers

·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 5,438 (52% of all cases) followed by Cork with 780 cases (8%)

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Tuesday 14^th April) to continue its ongoing review of Ireland’s response to COVID-19. Discussed at today’s meeting;

·        Residential care settings; In addition to existing protective measures and financial supports, HSE will put in place a coordinated national process to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 across nursing homes and other residential healthcare settings; as recommended by the ECDC.

·        Testing; HPSC to develop a strategy to conduct a seroprevalence study which will identify the proportion of the population who have ever had COVID-19, regardless of testing.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “We remain concerned about the prevalence of COVID-19 in nursing homes and residential care settings.

“The National Public Health Emergency Team is monitoring developments in these facilities and continues to advance supports and actions where needed.

“From the beginning, we have been aware that vulnerable groups, including the elderly, are at greater risk from this virus. These groups will continue to be our priority.”

Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “We are not seeing a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases in our hospitals or our ICU’s over the last number of days, and that is down to the efforts of every individual who has followed advice to stay apart and slow the spread of the virus. To everyone playing their part, the health service is grateful.”

17.25 - World Health Organisation

Covid 19 restrictions can only be lifted if the right public health measures are in place.  

The World Health Organisation says 6 criteria must be considered by countries thinking of easing guidelines.  

It's updating its strategic advice which includes ensuring system capacities are in place to treat patients and trace contacts.

17. 05 - Nursing Homes

The surge in coronavirus cases is effectively in the nursing homes sector,  according to the head of the body that represents them.

Nursing Homes Ireland is looking for commitments on staffing and Personal Protective Equipment when it meets the Health Minister this evening.

45 percent of people who have died from COVID-19 came from a nursing home setting.

CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadgh Daly says patients continue to be discharged from hospitals to the country's nursing homes.

16.55 - Scam

Gardai are helping Interpol investigate a 15 million euro coronavirus scam.

It's after German health officials were tricked into buying millions of face-masks from a Dutch website which had been cloned.

They paid 1.5 million euro of a deposit into an Irish bank account for the masks which they never received.

The cash has since been recovered and an Irishman has been interviewed in Roscommon.

16. 35 - Social Protection

The Department of Social Protection has apologised to around 1,700 people after telling them they were not entitled to receive the special covid-19 pandemic payment.

More than 533 thousand people received the 350 weekly payment today, with 54 thousand of those getting it for the first time.

Last week, the Department incorrectly emailed 1,700 people to say they were not eligible for the payment.

16.11 - Farmers

Farmers who have lost their incomes are entitled to the Covid 19 Unemployment Payment.  

The Irish Farmers Association says the Department of Social Protection has confirmed that they can avail of the 350 euro a week payment. 

President Tim Cullinan says it's a welcome move:

15.51 - Covid Survey

37 per cent of adults say they're finding self-isolation 'enjoyable'.

They say they're using the experience as an opportunity to do things they've been meaning to do for ages, with 63 per cent considering upskilling online.

According to the survey by DMG Media, 20 per cent of people with children feel being able to spend extra time with their families is ‘great’. 

However, almost half of those surveyed say they can't do their job from home, while 11 per cent say they've been made unemployed due to the crisis.

17 per cent are concerned about how the pandemic will affect their mental health.

15.36 - Northern Ireland

10 more people have died as a result of covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

134 people have now lost their lives from the virus in the North.

The number of people infected with coronavirus has grown to 1,967 after 85 new cases were confirmed.

So far more than 13 thousand people have been tested for the virus.

15.16 - Global Economy

The global economy will contract sharply this year by 3 per cent, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF say that is much worse than the global financial crisis of 2008/2009.

It's based on the assumption the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020 and containment efforts can be gradually unwound.

However, the global financial body is forecasting growth of 5.8 per cent in 2021, as economic activity normalises helped by policy support.

15.06 - Covid Payments

More than half a million people received the Covid 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment today.

The Department of Social Protection says 533,000 payments were processed.

Of those around 54,000 are receiving it for the first time.

Meanwhile, 42,000 employers have registered for the temporary wage subsidy scheme.

14.45 - College Students

College students are calling for more information about ongoing course work, applications for post-graduate programmes and jobs. 

A Gradireland survey has found that students are most concerned about the health of family of friends. 

While their next biggest worry is the uncertainty of employment opportunities. 

Employers and universities are being encouraged to advise college students on how they can prepare for working life after the lockdown. 

14.21 - Pandemic Unemployment Payment:

More than half a million people received the Covid 19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment today.

The Department of Social Protection says 533,000 payments were processed.

Of those around 54,000 are receiving it for the first time.

Meanwhile, 42,000 employers have registered for the temporary wage subsidy scheme.

13.31 - College students:

College students are calling for more information about ongoing course work, applications for post-graduate programmes and jobs. 

A Gradireland survey has found that students are most concerned about the health of family of friends. 

While their next biggest worry is the uncertainty of employment opportunities. 

Employers and universities are being encouraged to advise college students on how they can prepare for working life after the lockdown. 

📞 📧 🦠 📞📧🦠📞📧🦠📞📧🦠

As we continue our efforts to contain #Covid19 my constituency offices remain contactable by:

Phone: 046 9071667 or 046 9483344

Email: damien.english@oireachtas.ie

Please do keep in touch, stay safe and look after one another. pic.twitter.com/ML6gwVHl6K

— Damien English TD (@Damien_English) April 14, 2020

12.59 - Clinical trials:

Clinical trials could start next week on a potential new vaccine for Covid 19.

It's hoped it could be ready for use by September if it gets the go ahead.

It comes following a warning that social distancing measures could continue until a vaccine for coronavirus is available. 

Professor Adrian Hill is the Director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford in England,  where the vaccine is being developed.

He says normally it would take years to bring one to the market:

12.19 - Arrests:

Seven people have been arrested by gardai for not adhering to the Covid 19 travel restrictions.  

Operation Fanacht ran from last Wednesday until the Bank Holiday Monday.  

150 permanent checkpoints on major routes were set up along with over 500 shorter and mobile checkpoints. 

There were 144 cases that started as potential breaches of the regulations but turned into offences including house and street parties and gatherings beyond the family unit.  
 

12.04 - Sinn Féin president:

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed she was diagnosed with the Coronavirus.

She was tested on March 28th and got the results back yesterday. 

Mary Lou McDonald was contacted yesterday to say she had tested positive for the Coronavirus - 16 days after getting the test.

She said she is no longer infected or infectious - which came after two weeks of feeling very unwell.

However, McDonald has had a setback in her recovery - developing post-viral pleurisy in her right lung.

She says she is responding well to medication and expects to be back at work next Monday.

McDonald has appealed to people to stay home and stay safe - saying you do not want to get this virus.

It comes on the day the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are expected to meet to approve a framework document outlining how a coalition between the two parties will work.

If approved it will go to their parliamentary parties and then be shared with other, smaller parties, as they try to win their support for a coalition to form the next government.

Full statement from Mary Lou McDonald: "The Public Health Doctor informs me that I am no longer infected or infectious, and this is a great relief after weeks of being very unwell."

She expects to be back at work on Monday. pic.twitter.com/08E6wMw95N

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) April 14, 2020

• 10. 50 - Free movement:

  Dr Gabriel Scally is raising serious concerns about the free movement of people at our ports and airports, due to the Covid-19 crisis. 

  It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team meets this morning to discuss the outbreak. 

  Nearly 1,000 new cases were confirmed last night, bringing the country's total to nearly 10,700. 

  Dr Scally, who led the inquiry into CervicalCheck, says particular care is needed at ports and airports - even after the peak of the virus. 

  10.24 - Europe:

  France's lockdown measures have been extended until the 11th of May.

  But several other countries are starting to ease restrictions. 

  Austria's reopening thousands of shops while schools in Denmark will start welcoming back pupils.  

  Italy is also loosening measures in some regions after recording its lowest daily number of deaths in three weeks yesterday. 
   

  10.11 - Moods:

  Pete Lunn is the founder and head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit.

  He says although people's mood might dip during this period, they will adapt: 

  09.49 - Nursing homes:

  The Covid-19 crisis in nursing homes will be discussed at a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team this morning.

  The Health Minister says further measures will be introduced to tackle the 140 clusters in these facilities. 

  Meanwhile, Simon Harris says it's too early to say when the current restrictions on movement will be eased. 

  There was a lack of priority placed on nursing homes in the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to representatives of the sector.

  NHI CEO Tadhg Daly believes issues around staffing and PPE are major problems in the homes:

  09.28 - Vaccine:

  A vaccine for Covid-19 could take up to two years to be mass produced, according to a leading expert.

  Nearly a thousand positive tests for coronavirus were reported last night, bringing the total number of cases in the Republic to 10,647, while 31 more people died. 

  Last night the Health Minister said we will have to adhere to social distancing until a vaccine is available.

  But professor of health systems in DCU, Anthony Staines, says it's not possible that current restrictions will continue until then.

  09.14 - Tech devices:

  A fundraiser has been established to help provide tablets for ICU patients so they can keep in touch with their families.

  Patients can't have visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak.

  ICU nurse Orla Kennedy says patients can feel lonely:

  09.03 - Travel screening:

  The boss of London's Heathrow Airport is calling on global governments to agree a common standard on medical screening at airports.

  John Holland-Kaye says it would help to repair demand for air travel - which has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.

  He's revealed passenger numbers dropped by 52 per cent at the London hub in March, compared to the same month last year.

  08.46 - Northern Ireland:

  There are now almost 1,900 confirmed cases of covid-19 in the North. 

  Meanwhile, the Stormont executive has been asked to speed up the process of paying staff who have been placed out of work. 

  Hotels, bars and restaurants have been closed for weeks, but Colin Neill from Hospitality Ulster says many staff have received no support. 

  08.24 - Unemployment payments:

  The Taoiseach says we should look to hold on to the unemployment payment, introduced during the Covid-19 crisis, that would gradually reduce the longer people are out of work.

  Professor of economics at DCU, Edgar Morgenroth, says similar welfare measures are already in place in other EU countries;

  08.18 - Stablising:

  The World Health Organisation claims the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to 'stabilise'.

  The group will today publish new guidelines to help countries decide when to lift restrictions. 

  There are now more than 1.9 million cases of Covid-19 in the world, and nearly 120,000 deaths. 

  But Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies programme, says the rate of growth is dropping:

  08.05 - Scam:

  An Irish man has been questioned as part of an investigation into an elaborate coronavirus scam involving 1.5 million euro.

  An inquiry was launched after a fake order was placed for millions of masks destined for Germany.
  
  This was a complex and elaborate scam that began when German officials needed to order millions of face masks to help in the fight against Covid 19.

  
  An Irish intermediary put a German company in touch with a Dutch one to place an order for 11 million masks worth up to 7.7 million euro.

  
  However - this order was effectively fake as someone/entiyy had managed to clone the website and email address of a real Dutch company.

  
  A one and a half million euro down payment was made for the delivery of some of the masks to an Irish bank account based in Roscommon.

  
  In late March, reps from the German and Irish companies met in Amsterdam to oversee the handover of the shipment –it never materialised and they realised it was an elaborate scam.

  
  An investigation was launched and 1.5 million euro has since been frozen in an Irish Bank account.

  An Irish man has been interviewed in County Roscommon on suspicion of money laundering.

  07.43 - United Kingdom:

  The UK will reportedly remain in lockdown for another three weeks.

  It'll be announced on Thursday that the initial period of restrictions is being extended until at least the 7th of May, according to The Times of London. 

  Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says it's too early to consider a relaxation. 

  07.37 - United States:

  In the US, Donald Trump has been defending his handling of the pandemic.

  The president has also insisted it's his decision when the country's economy reopens, not state governors. 

  Some of them have been drafting plans to ease restrictions.

  Donald Trump is also hitting out at the media. 

  07.18 - Financial abuse:

  A warning's going out to the public to guard against any increase in financial abuse during the coronavirus crisis.

  Safeguarding Ireland says people who use 'temporary agents' to bank or collect social welfare on their behalf need to be wary.

  It says it's estimated internationally between 10 and 20 per cent of agents abuse their position.

  Chairperson of Safeguarding Ireland, Patricia Rickard-Clarke says it's risky to give your personal details to someone else:

  07.01 - Family businesses:

  The Family Business Network is calling for a National Recovery Fund to be set up immediately to save Irish jobs and rebuild the economy.

  The organisation says family businesses across the country employ nearly two thirds of all the workers in the country.

  It's warning that under current arrangements, firms that survive the immediate crisis risk being killed by deferred debts.

  Family Business Network executive director, John McGraine, says what businesses need now is cash rather than loans:

  06.53 - Leaving Certs:

  The Teachers Union of Ireland says it'll be working with the State Examinations Commission to help vulnerable Leaving Cert students.

  It says those with underlying health issues and special education needs mustn't have their prospects further damaged by the coronavirus crisis.

  The exam has been postponed until late July or early August.

  TUI president Seamus Lahart says they will do their utmost to help vulnerable students:

  
    

  06.28 - World status:

  The World Health Organisation will today publish new advice to countries as they consider lifting restrictions. 

  It comes as the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus across the world has risen to more than 1.9 million. 

  Nearly 120,000 people have died of the disease. 

  WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus says a number of key measures must be in place before countries lift restrictions. 

  06.14 - Nursing homes:

  Health officials say the area of greatest concern is now the number of cases in residential institutions. 

  167 deaths have been confirmed among Covid-19 patients at nursing homes. 

  HSE chief clinical officer Colm Henry says expert doctors and more resources are being sent to help. 

  06.00 - Local figures:

  A further 31 patients have died from COVID-19. 

  The Department of Health also confirmed there are 992 new confirmed cases. 

  The total now is 10,647 - 434 of these are in the midlands.

  The latest figures show there are another 21 patients with the illness in Westmeath, bringing the total to 213.

  Offaly now has 133 confirmed cases - which is an increase of 14. 

  Laois has seen a large increase in the numbers with the illness, however it still has the lowest number in the region with 88 - a rise of 17 since the figures were released yesterday.

  Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says until a vaccine is mass-produced, there will still be social distancing. 

  The National Public Health Emergency Team is set to meet later this morning. 

  Dr Tony Holohan says any move to ease the lockdown will be a fickle balancing act.