Coronavirus: 79 New Cases Confirmed

National News 21st August 2020.

Local figures:

There have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today.

There has now been a total of 1,776 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 20th August, the HPSC has been notified of 79 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 27,755 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

39 are men / 40 are women

73% are under 45 years of age

30 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case

21 cases have been identified as community transmission

43 in Dublin, 9 in Kildare, 6 in Cork, 6 in Tipperary and the remaining 15 cases are in Clare, Donegal, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow.

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

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Firstly I would like to thank the people of Kildare, Laois and Offaly, you have shown an incredible example of solidarity and social responsibility by following the enhanced public health advice for your region. Your actions have saved lives. The epidemiological situation in Kildare means that we must extend the public health measures for a further two weeks. While there is some cause for optimism, the 7 and 14 day incidence rates in Kildare remain very high. Evidence suggests that the measures are working, but more time is required to reduce the number of cases in Kildare.

“We as a nation must show solidarity with Kildare in our collective efforts, especially over the next two weeks, by working together to suppress this virus. We can protect each other by following the public health advice. I am asking all households across Ireland to play your part, reduce your social contacts, wash your hands, keep a 2m distance from each other and wear a facecovering in shops and on public transport. These actions are vital to protect our families and safeguard those who are most vulnerable to the disease.”

The total numbers in the midlands, as of measured at midnight on Wednesday 19th August, stands at 1,652.

683 people in Westmeath have diagnosed with the illness, while the total in Offaly is 605 and 364 in Laois.

Note: The acting Chief Medical Officer, Ronan Glynn, releases figures for the counties with the highest number of cases as of midnight, and the latest county by county breakdown available from the Department of Health are measured at midnight on Wednesday 19th August. 

Northern Ireland:

There are 20 new cases of coronavirus in the North.

No new deaths have been reported.

The death toll remains at 559 while the total number of cases stand at 6,576.

Dail:

Opposition parties have called for the Dail to be reconvened in light of the minister's resignation.

However, Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald claims the Taoiseach has rejected her request.

Labour TD Aodhain O Riordain says the government has questions to answer about this event, and about the mixed messaging from different Departments this week:

Despite the clear breach of covid guidelines at the dinner, these people feel it's vital we continue to comply with the rules to suppress the virus:

Hotels:

The Irish Hotel's Federation advised its members that it could continue to host events of up to 50 people, after guidelines were revised on Tuesday. 

The new guidelines state that indoor events are limited to no more than six people from three households. 

It's after a hotel in Galway held an event of more than 80 people on Wednesday, that ultimately resulted in the resignation of the Agriculture Minister. 

The IHF says it's awaiting updated guidelines from the Department of Tourism and Failte Ireland. 

Wedding Planner Sharon Griffin believes the event was an insult to couples who have had to cancel their big day:

Garda investigation:

Gardaí are investigating possible breaches of Covid-19 guidelines at a an Oireachtas dinner in Galway on Wednesday night.

Former Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary has resigned after attending the event at a hotel in Clifden.

The Taoiseach has accepted his resignation and says it was an error in judgement.

Dara Calleary says he didn't expect over 80 people to be there:

Meanwhile, Noel Grealish has apologised for attending the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner.

The Galway West TD insists he exercised social distancing throughout, and was assured the event met public health guidelines.

He says it was an error of judgement.

Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer, who also attended the event, has resigned as Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath admits the past number of weeks haven't been good for the government:

Testing:

People suspected of having Covid-19 could be allowed to take their own test with supervision soon.

HIQA and the National Ambulance service are trialling new swabs that will allow health workers remain at a safe distance.

The person involved would be asked to spit into a container or take a swab from their own nose, one that won't extend as far back as the throat.

Dr. Mairin Ryan from HIQA says frontline staff are already testing these methods:

School bus:

The Education Minister says parents whose children can't social distance on school buses can be re-imbursed for organising alternative transport.

The department has scrapped plans to run buses at full capacity for secondary school students when they re-open.

They'll now run at 50 per cent - with engagement ongoing between officials and Bus Eireann.

Minister Norma Foley says there will be alternative plans in place:

A trade union's warned that it may not be possible to introduce 50 per capacity on school buses in time for the new school year.

General Secretary of the NBRU Dermot O'Leary says it may take a few weeks to implement the measure:

France:

France has reported the biggest weekly spike in coronavirus infections in months.

There were 4-thousand-771 new cases yesterday, and more than 18-thousand in the past seven days.

Meanwhile Spain, Germany and Italy have also recorded their highest numbers since late April or May.

School:

The HSE says it's compiling guidance to help with children going back to school.

It would include general guidance around basic hygiene requirements, but it says they are working on how to manage school uniforms along with it.

Dr Siobhain Ni Bhriain from the HSE says they hope to release the guidance next week:

Meanwhile, the Labour Party's calling for the Dáil to be recalled after the government's U-turn on school transport. 

The Department of Education had planned for school buses to operate at full capacity, but with students wearing face-coverings. 

But yesterday, it said, for second level pupils, they would only be half full after new advice from NPHET.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer added that NPHET is currently looking at a possible new testing regime for children.

Dr Ronan Glynn says it's hoped different swab tests for children can form part of that:

Arts:

The Arts Council is describing as 'unfortunate' claims of mixed messaging from the Government on new Covid-19 guidelines.

It's after conflicting interpretations of the rules on how many people can go to cinemas, museums, theatres and art galleries.

The Government message is that they can continue to operate with a limit of 50 people.

The Arts Council's Director, Maureen Kennelly says from now on communication must be clear:

Nursing Homes:

The HSE has paid nursing homes 31 million euro to deal with costs associated with Covid-19. 

It's after 1,914 claims were made under the HSE's Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme. 

It includes an Outbreak Assistance Payment, which is only paid to nursing homes that have had an outbreak. 

Dr Martin Daly, a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, says it's vital these facilities continue to receive support:

Local figures:

There are another 136 cases of Covid-19 in the Republic and one more death. 

It brings the total number of cases to 27,676 and the death toll to 1,776.

51 in Dublin, 24 in Kildare, 12 in Kilkenny, 11 in Tipperary, 7 in Cork, 6 in Limerick, 6 in Wexford, 5 in Meath and the remaining 14 cases are in Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Offaly, Roscommon, Waterford and Wicklow.

The total numbers in the midlands, as of measured at midnight on Tuesday 18 August, stands at 1.650.

683 people in Westmeath have diagnosed with the illness, while the total in Offaly is 603 and 364 in Laois.

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

Acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn says the number of cases has been rising over the past two weeks.

Note: The acting Chief Medical Officer, Ronan Glynn, releases figures for the counties with the highest number of cases as of midnight, and the latest county by county breakdown available from the Department of Health are measured at midnight on Tuesday 18th August.