Coronavirus: A Further 16 People Have Died

370 fresh cases have been confirmed today.

17.44 - Latest figures:

A further 16 people are confirmed to have died from Covid-19 in the Republic. 

370 fresh cases confirmed today too. It now brings the death toll to 174, while the number of confirmed cases stands at 5,364 - 198 of those are in the midlands region.

107 are in Westmeath - which is an increase of 15, with 66 in Offaly up from 63 and Laois has four new patients with the total now at 25. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team is reporting this evening that the deceased include 10 men and six women.

· 11 deaths located in the east, 4 in the north west, 1 in the west of the country

· The patients included 6 females and 10 males

· 4 patients were reported as having underlying health conditions

· Median age of today’s reported deaths is 78

There have now been 174 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

The median age of deaths in Ireland is 81.

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

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health, a nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, and which will be conducted twice weekly, reveals:

· The percentage of people stockpiling has reduced from a peak of 43% in mid-March to 20% today

· 86% of people believe that current government restrictions are “about right”

· 67% are interacting with family and friends over the phone

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Our research shows overall level of worry remains high at 7 out of 10 but has not increased significantly since the middle of March, despite the introduction of more restrictive measures."

Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer HSE, said; “Our Healthcare system has been preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases but it is important to remind people that our hospitals continue to carry out all emergency and essential activity.”

Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday 4th April 2020 (4,916 cases), reveals:

· 46% are male and 54% are female, with 260 clusters involving 989 cases

· Median age of confirmed cases is 49 years

· 1,265 cases (26%) have been hospitalised

· Of those hospitalised, 169 cases have been admitted to ICU

· 1,263 cases (26%) are associated with healthcare workers

· Dublin has the highest number of cases at 2,692 (55% of all cases) followed by Cork with 362 cases (7%)

· Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 65%, close contact accounts for 23%, travel abroad accounts for 12%

15.47 - Direct provision centres:

The Government says ‘intensive work’ is underway to help those in direct provision during the coronavirus emergency.

Concerns have been expressed about the conditions of the facilities to contain the spread of the infection. 

Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of An Taoiseach says efforts are underway to improve the situation:

  • 15.23 - Medicinal cannabis:

    An emergency supply of medicinal cannabis is to be collected from Holland and delivered to patients who receive the treatment.

    The government initiative is being launched for those who avail of a ministerial licence for medicinal cannabis products.

    Some patients have not been able to access their usual treatment due to travel restrictions and people's need to self-isolate. 

    Vera Twomey, whose daughter Ava takes medicinal cannabis to help alleviate symptoms of a rare form of epilepsy, says their medication had nearly run out:

    15.06 - Farming community:

    The European Commission's announced measures to help the farming community and promised more are to come.

    Farmers have been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic, with some export markets collapsing, as fast food chains and restaurants close.

    Domestic produce has also replaced exports in some countries.

    Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says they want to make it easier for farmers to access funds:

    14.32 - An Post:

    An Post has begun two new services to help vulnerable people during the coronavirus emergency.

    People can request a check in service from their local postman or woman.

    Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of Taoiseach says they’re also offering a same day newspaper delivery service.

    14.15 - Unemployment benefit:

    Over  700,000 people are receiving some type of unemployment benefit.

    Just over a half a million people will receive the Covid 19 payment of 350 euro tomorrow.

    That's up from the previous figure of 283,000.

    In addition over 200,000 people are on the live register.  

    13.37 - Private hospitals:

    A private hospital consultant says more people will die if they aren't allowed to continue seeing private patients during the Covid-19 crisis.

    Last week it was announced that private hospitals would be used as public ones for the duration of the outbreak.

    Consultants will receive temporary HSE locum contracts to cover their work but it doesn't allow them to run private clinics at the same time.

    Respiratory consultant Oisin O'Connell says there will be no continuity of care for his private patients:

    13.05 - Orange Order:

    The Orange Order's cancelled this years 12th of July parades in the North.

    In a statement the organisation says the decision was taken in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

    They say it's in-line with current British Government health advice on restricting gatherings of people, self-isolation and social distancing. 

    They have been cancelled before, during the First and Second World Wars and the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.

    12.24 - Spain:

    The pace of Spain's coronavirus deaths has slowed for a fourth day in a row. 

    637 more patients have died, taking the total above 13-thousand. 

    Spain has the second-highest death figure in the world after Italy, which has recorded more than 15-thousand. 

    Sky's Alex Rossi in Madrid says doctors there are cautiously optimistic:

    11.50 - Flights:

    The Government is trying to help 2,000 Irish citizens return home because of the coronavirus emergency.

    Elizabeth Canavan from the Department of Taoiseach says most of them are located in Australia: 

    11.02 - Northern Ireland:

    The PSNI is investigating a threat made against Northern Ireland's health minister. 

    Comments appeared online about Robin Swann on Friday, relating to his response to the Covid-19 crisis. 

    A man was arrested in Ballymena yesterday on suspicion of improper use of telecommunications.

    The 26-year-old was later released pending further Inquiries. 

    Just last week the Minister spoke at a press conference urging people not be threatening or abusive towards our healthcare staff:

    10.42 - UK:

    Number 10 insists Boris Johnson remains in charge of government, despite him being in hospital with persistent coronavirus symptoms.

    The British Prime Minister was admitted last night, 10 days after being diagnosed with Covid-19. 

    The foreign secretary's chairing the government's daily meeting on the pandemic this morning. 

    10.09 - Hospital's impact:

    The Irish Hospital Consultants Association says that the agreement between the government and private hospitals will have a negative impact on private patients.

    Last week it was announced private hospitals would be used by the state to treat both Covid-19 and non Covid-19 patients.

    However around 500 consultants at private hospitals say a large number of outpatient consultations will be impacted as a result, and will have a detrimental impact on the quality of care received by these patients.

    The group says consultants should allow them to continue to treat private patients as well as obligating their new HSE contract.

    10.00 - Testing: 

    Testing for the coronavirus should double this week.

    The HSE says its capacity to test for Covid 19 will rise to 4,500 tests a day.

    There have been almost 5 thousand confirmed cases of the virus here and 158 people have lost their lives.

    09.40 - Transport:

    The Transport Minister has asked his department to finalise proposals to help the financial strain on travel agents and tour operators.

    They have faced 'unprecedented levels' of cancellations and challenges in getting cash refunds from suppliers for their customers.

    Vouchers or a credit note for refunds is one of the options being considered as a temporary measure by Minister Shane Ross.

    09.20 - Face Masks Update:

    The HSE says there's been no change to the advice for the public in relation to face masks.

    According to the Examiner, the government has ruled out directing people to wear face masks in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. 

    But Dr Nick Flynn, who's a GP in Cork city, believes there should be face masks for all: 

    09.00 - An Post:

    An Post will check in on elderly people who have to cocoon.

    The new service is available online, and people can input a vulnerable person's address and the post man or woman will call to the house to make sure everything is OK. 

    It's free with An Post offering to contact the Alone national helpline on the elderly person's behalf for extra help with medicines or shopping. 

    08.45 - Online Shopping:

    A virtual marketplace will open later showcasing 120 Irish companies' products.

    It has been in development in the past week due to restrictions on face-to-face contact because of Covid-19.

    The founders say it is an easy way for people to shop local, while keeping small businesses operating.

    Grace Tallon is one of the people behind the Doorstep Market - she explains how small enterprises can get involved:

    08.30 - Fundraiser:

    Feed the Heroes has delivered 34,000 meals to frontline workers in three weeks.

    The Go Fund Me has raised almost 750 thousand euro since it was set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    The initial plan for the project was to get enough money to deliver some pizzas to emergency departments.

    Founder Cian O'Flaherty explains how many people are now working to deliver meals:

    08.15 - Courts:

    Remote contact is allowed if there's a Court Order in place when it comes to parents' access to their children.

    This means both can make arrangements for the other parent to contact their children by phone, Skype, Facetime or WhatsApp.

    New guidelines have been issued during the coranvirus crisis, advising parents to make a note of this temporary agreement by text or email. 

    08.00 - Community Hubs:

    Community assessment hubs will start accepting referrals and seeing patients from the middle of the week.

    The service to test for Covid-19 is starting today but only to train staff.

    The hubs will be located in the country's primary care centres and will be open 7 days a week, but patients will have to be referred by their GP.

    HSE chief operations officer, Anne O'Connor, says the hubs will ease pressure on GPs and hospitals:

    07.50 - Dr. Varadkar:

    The Taoiseach has re-registered as a medical doctor. 

    Leo Varadkar left the medical register in 2013, after serving as a doctor for ten years. 

    Last month the HSE had called for healthcare workers who had left the register to return to the workforce to help with the Covid-19 pandemic.

    07.40 - Direct Provision:

    Asylum-seekers are going to work in nursing homes even though there is coronavirus in their direct-provision centres. 

    That's according to the Movement of Asylum-Seekers in Ireland. 

    Spokesman Bulelani Mfaco claims there are Covid-19 cases in several direct-provision centres:

     

    07.30 - Holy Week:

    The Catholic Church is encouraging people to follow Holy Week from their homes.

    Many parishes will be broadcasting mass through webcams with each diocese providing services.

    They also say they want to help people who are suffering from loneliness and allow them to stay in touch with their spiritual side.

    07.20 - BOJO:

    Boris Johnson's spent the night in a central London hospital.

    The British Prime Minister went in for tests because his coronavirus symptoms are continuing.

    Downing Street insists he remains "in charge of the government."

    07.10 Worldwide:

    Across the world the number of cases has risen to nearly 1.3 million. 

    Almost 70,000 people have died of the disease. 

    The US has by far the highest number of cases, at nearly 337,000. 

    The UK has almost 48,000, including 1,089 in Northern Ireland. 

    Dr Mike Ryan, executive director at the World Health Organisation, is warning countries of the danger of lifting restrictions too soon.

    07.00 Local figures:

    21 more people have died from the Coronavirus in the Republic, bringing the death toll to 158.

    The National Public Health Emergency Team says 17 deaths were in the east, with 2 each in the south and west.

    There have been 390 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, with the total number now infected to 4,994 - 180 of those are in the midlands region.

    Westmeath has 94 patients diagnosed with the illness, with 64 in Offaly, while Laois has the lowest in the region with 22.

    Of those who died in the past 24 hours, 9 were women and 12 were men.

    New data shows 26 per cent of those who have the virus are healthcare workers, while 165 people have been admitted to ICU.

     

 

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