Coronavirus: 31 More Patients Have Died

The latest news updates for 13th April 2020.

18.03: New 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.

New 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. 

26 deaths located in the east, 3 in the north west, 1 in the south and 1 in the west of the country and 18 of the deaths were women.

The median age of today’s reported deaths is 82 and 25 people were reported as having underlying health conditions

There have now been 365 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. A summary of all 365 deaths provided by the HPSC shows that;
·        215 (59%) of those who died were male, 150 (41%) were female
·        The median age of those who died is 82
·        247 of these cases were admitted to hospital with 37 admitted to ICU

As of 11.15am Monday 13 April, the HPSC has been notified of the following cases;

An additional 527 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by Irish laboratories

An additional 465 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by a laboratory in Germany

With the latest German figures included, there are now a total of 10,647 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, Saturday, 11 April (9,484 cases) – and including German results received to that date, reveals:
·        45% are male and 54% are female, with 401 clusters involving 1,795 cases
·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
·        1,849 cases (20%) have been hospitalised
·        Of those hospitalised, 268 cases have been admitted to ICU
·        2,489 cases are associated with healthcare workers
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 5,006 (53% of all cases) followed by Cork with 730 cases (8%)
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 66%, close contact accounts for 27%, travel abroad               accounts for 7%

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that the percentage of the population who feel we are experiencing the worst of the pandemic right now has risen strongly from 11% on 16 March to 37% today, though 55% feel the worst is still ahead of us.

The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, which is conducted twice weekly, reveals:

The percentage of people behaving safely continues to rise for behaviours such as washing hands (94%) and using sanitizer (81%), but has fallen for sitting apart from others (59%) possibly reflecting more time spent at home

The vast majority are staying at home rather than going out: up from 78% on 16 March to 90% currently

While a significant proportion of the population reported feelings of worry (43%) and anxiety (38%), a similar proportion reported feelings of enjoyment (46%) and happiness (36%) in today’s survey.  

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Today marks a milestone in Ireland’s experience of COVID-19 as we see the number of confirmed cases exceed 10,000. “The number of community cases of COVID-19 shows why we continue to need the public health measures that we currently have in place. I understand that the current restrictions are tough, especially during a bank holiday weekend when in normal circumstances most of us would have met up with family and friends but I ask that the public continue to work with us and follow the guidelines that are in place. The next three weeks will prove crucial to Ireland’s COVID-19 story and by working together we give ourselves the best chance to slow the spread and save lives.”

17.58 - Testing:

The HSE says "less than 100" patients who were told by text they'd tested negative for covid-19 were later told their test was positive.

In a statement, the Executive says it happened because a small number of tests were "weakly positive" and had to be sent for review.

It says the communications error was picked up by public health doctors and immediately rectified -- and that no other patients have been affected.

17.41 - UK:

A further 717 patients with coronavirus have died in UK hospitals.

It's the lowest daily increase over the Bank Holiday weekend, after 980 on Friday.

But because of how the figures are recorded, it's expected there'll be higher increases in the coming days.

16.58 - Pets:

Vets have been given new guidance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including advising people who test positive for coronavirus to isolate their pets also.

There's a fear the disease may be transferred through the coat of the animal.

If you think your pet came into contact with a confirmed case, you're being advised to wash the animal.

CEO of the Veterinary Council is Niamh Muldoon - she says precautions need to be taken:

  • 16.42 - Wrong results:

    The HSE says it's investigating after people were told by text they'd tested negative for covid-19 -- but were later told their test was positive.

    HSE chief executive Paul Reid says it's not clear how many people got the wrong texts.

    He says the issue only emerged yesterday:

    16.08 - Social distancing:

    Social Distancing could be part of Irish life until a vaccine for coronavirus is available, according to the Health Minister.

    Simon Harris says there is 'no magic point' at the start of May where life before COVID-19 can resume.

    A vaccine for the virus is not expected to be available for 12 to 18 months.

    Minister Harris says any restrictions that can be changed will depend on how we suppress the virus for the next three weeks:

    15.54 - Welfare payments:

    A Labour TD has called the exclusion of older workers from Pandemic Payments "discrimination".

    Ged Nash says many people over 66 are forced to work for financial reasons, but can't avail of emergency payments because they're too old.

    The same applies to those under 18 who aren't in education, as they're too young.

    The Louth TD says it's a disgraceful situation:

    15.17 - Northern Ireland:

    Six more covid-19 patients have died in Northern Ireland.

    76 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus.

    The latest data from the Public Health Agency brings the death toll there to 124, and the total number of cases to 1882.

    14.46 - Nursing homes:

    The HSE says it's most significant concern is the level of coronavirus outbreaks in longterm residential settings, including nursing homes.

    Currently there are 268 outbreaks but not all of them are deemed to be clusters.

    The death toll in Ireland related to coronavirus is currently 334 with 9,655 people infected with the virus as well.

    HSE Chief Operations Officer, Anne O'Connor, has been outlining the amount of cases in residential locations:

    14.21 - Boris:

    Downing Street insists the UK prime minister will only return to work on the advice of his medical team.

    A spokesperson says Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before he left hospital, where he was being treated for covid-19.

    He's continuing his recovery at Chequers - the UK prime minister's country retreat.

    13.51 - Spain:

    Spain's main transport hubs are slowly reopening as coronavirus restrictions are eased slightly in the country.

    A limited number of businesses are also allowed to re-start operations, including construction and manufacturing.

    Today's death toll of 517 people is a drop in the daily rate.

    13.31 - Scotland:

    Scotland's first minister confirmed there've been another nine coronavirus-related deaths - taking the total to 575.

    Nicola Sturgeon has thanked those who've been following the lockdown measures - calling it "crucial" in the fight against Covid-19:

    13.11 - Restrictions:

    The HSE says the uncertain future means when the current restrictions can be lifted is unknown.

    Colm Henry says they are looking at data from other countries:

    12.46 - Flattening the curve:

    Ireland is going in the right direction in flattening the curve, according to a virologist.

    Professor Ultan Power from Queen's University in Belfast has been comparing the country with South Korea:

    11.48 - Testing:

    he HSE plan to clear the backlog of Covid-19 tests by the end of this week.

    At it's largest point, there was a build-up of around 35,000 tests to be analysed - which is now at 11,000.

    Currently across the country, the death toll stands at 334 - while the total number of positive cases in the Republic is 9,655.

    HSE CEO Paul Reid says they hope to be up-to-date by the end of this week:

    11.31 - Italy:

    Italy has now carried out more than a million tests for Covid-19.

    The country was the first outbreak in Europe of the disease, and now has over 19,000 deaths, and over 156,000 positive tests.

    11.01 - Nursing homes:

    Sage Advocacy is calling for a new integrated single national system of support and care for older people.

    The group wants the Government to integrate private nursing homes into the wider framework of health and social care.

    Sage Advocacy Executive Director, Mervyn Taylor wants shared guidelines over the coronavirus crisis in nursing homes:

    10.47 - Frontline:

    Healthcare staff who may be developing a Covid-19 temperature can be detected through a new remote early warning system.

    It's being developed by UCC and Cork-based software firm, 8 West for use on frontline medical workers at Cork University Hospital.

    Volunteers wear underarm thermometers connected to smart phones and when their temperature's too high, they're told to self-isolate.

    UCC Director of the Research Centre at UCC, Professor Barry O'Reilly says the new system can prevent colleagues from spreading the coronavirus:

    10.32 - Home school:

    Over a fifth of parents are home-schooling their primary school children but some don't have the right resources like a laptop or computer.

    The survey by DCU and NUI Galway shows three quarters of Irish people feel they've changed their behaviour in public during the coronavirus pandemic..

    However, more than 37 percent of people feel others have changed their behaviour throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

    DCU Professor of Health Systems, Anthony Staines says some schools have given homework but not others:

    10.17 - Soccer:

    The FAI's inviting everyone to try and keep up their soccer skills at home during the lockdown.

    It's launching the first online session of a new daily online coaching programme in an hour's time on the association's social media channels.

    Ger McDermott from the FAI says everyone can join in -- as long as they're very careful about where they practice. 

    09.58 - Healthcare workers:

    The Health Minister is praising frontline healthcare staff working during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Simon Harris says they're not focused on the fact they can't see family or friends, they're focusing on keeping us alive.

    Simon Harris says frontline workers are doing great work in very difficult circumstances:

    09.41 - Exams:

    The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has told its members they won't be compelled to work for the rescheduled Leaving Cert.

    The state exam has been pushed back from its usual start date to either late July or early August.

    The ASTI say it has a number of concerns and needs clarification from the Department of Education.

    However, Seamus Lahart, President of the Teachers Union of Ireland, says he will be asking his members to help students prepare for the exams:

    08.57 - Dog:

    A vineyard in the US has come up with a novel way of getting its produce to customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

    Soda the dog delivers bottles to people who come to pick up their drinks from Stone House Urban Winery in Maryland.

    The 11-year-old brindle boxer enables shoppers to collect their orders while maintaining social distancing rules.

    Customer Samantha Hawkins thinks it's a great idea:

    08.00 - Local figures:

    Another 14 people have died from Covid-19 here in the past 24 hours.

    It brings the total number of people who've died in the Republic to 334.

    There have been 430 new confirmed cases, along with an extra 297 new cases from a lab in Germany.

    This brings the total number of people infected with the coronavirus to 9, 655, when the latest German figures are included.

    There are 382 confirmed cases in the midlands, over half of those are in Westmeath. 

    The Lake County saw an increase of 11 patients bringing the total to 192.

    Offaly now has 119, an increase of 15.

    And Laois still has the lowest number in the region with 71, a rise of 10.

    Of those who died today, 12 deaths were in the east and there were 2 in the west and the median age of today's deaths is 80.

 

 

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