Coronavirus: 274 New Cases Confirmed

New COVID restrictions are in place in Dublin.

Latest figures:

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

There has now been a total of 1,792 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Friday, 18 September, the HPSC has been notified of 274 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 32,538* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

142 are men / 129 are women

65% are under 45 years of age

52% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case

52 cases have been identified as community transmission

166 in Dublin, 21 in Cork, 19 in Donegal, 7 in Kildare, 7 in Offaly, 6 in Waterford, 6 in Wicklow, 5 in Louth, 5 in Limerick and 5 in Meath and the remaining 27 cases are located across 12 counties.

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

Maternity:

The HSE says fewer than 200 pregnant women have contracted Covid 19 in Ireland so far.

It says visitor restrictions in maternity hospitals are unlikely to be relaxed while the covid situation is getting worse.

Currently, partners are only allowed in for a limited time when a woman is in active labour.

Garda checkpoints:

Garda patrols are being carried out in parts of Dublin today as new coronavirus restrictions take effect.

Almost 1.4 million people in the capital are being told not to leave their county for the next 3 weeks.

Level three has also seen many pubs and restaurants close, with only those doing takeaway or with outdoor seating allowed to remain open.

Extra restrictions on house gatherings are now in place and cultural venues have shut.

While religious services have been told to move online with many communions and confirmations planned for this weekend cancelled.

The HSE's Kevin Kelleher, who's a member of NPHET, has been asked if other parts of the country were almost placed on level 3 as well:

The Acting Chief Medical Officer says priorities have changed from the beginning of March, from ensuring hospitals don't get overrun, to making sure health services can still be carried out.

Dr Ronan Glynn says health officials must be honest with the public:

UK:

The British Prime Minister's warned the UK's "now seeing a second wave" of Covid-19.

UK Government advisors have revealed the virus is growing again and Boris Johnson says stricter social distancing might soon be necessary across Britain:

Rates:

Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart have the highest rate of Covid-19 in the state.

That's according to the first national breakdown of incidence of the disease by local area.

The incidence rate for the Blanchardstown/Mulhuddart area stands at 189, closely followed by Tallaght at 175.

However, lower numbers remain in some parts of the county with the incidence rate in Stillorgan standing at 39.

The information comes as Dublin enters Level 3 of on the government's roadmap for the next three weeks.

Meat factories:

Meat factory workers won't come forward to say they have COVID-19 symptoms if they're not covered by sick pay.

That's according to the Social Democrats' spokesperson for agriculture.

It comes after Meat Industry Ireland agreed new safety protocols with SIPTU yesterday.

The measures to prevent the spread of the virus include more serial testing, health screening and temperature testing.

However, Cork South-West TD Holly Cairns says the agreement should have included sick pay provisions:

Hotels:

The tourism and hospitality industry has become "the economic frontline" of the COVID-19 crisis.

That's according to the Irish Hotels Federation following the implementation of Level 3 restrictions in Dublin.

It says 100,000 jobs in the sector have been lost since March and a further 100,000 are now at risk.

Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, IHF President, says the industry has been disproportionately affected by restrictions:

Dublin:

New COVID restrictions have come into place overnight in Dublin.

People are not allowed to enter or leave the county unless it's for work, education or other essential reasons.

The county is on level three restrictions which mean bars and restaurants cannot serve food indoors, with many having to close last night.

No more than six people from one household can visit your home, all indoor gatherings are banned and organised outdoor gatherings limited to 15 people.

Many communions and confirmations set for this weekend have been called off - however weddings and funerals can continue under level two rules until Monday.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there will be more gardaí on patrol in Dublin this weekend:

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn says the restrictions worked in Laois, Kildare and Offaly and can work again.

He explained why NPHET believes the extra restrictions on pubs and restaurants in the capital are necessary:

Over 50,000 restaurant staff in Dublin are set to lose their jobs this weekend after the restrictions came into effect, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

It says members are worried that looming bank repayments could force business owners to close forever.

It also believes the Pandemic Unemployment Payment should be increased back to the level it was at in March.

Chief Executive, Adrian Cummins is calling on the Government to extend the moratorium on bank repayments:

Drinks Ireland says the decision to close pubs will be hugely damaging both for Dublin and the country's economy.

It says the recent increase in Covid 19 hasn't been linked to the sector and it'll be the final blow for many businesses already struggling.

Drinks Ireland Senior Executive,William Lavelle says the hospitality sector is being unfairly targeted:

All places of worship in Dublin have been closed since midnight last night, except for private prayer, weddings and funerals.

Confirmation and First Communion services in the capital including those planned for today won't be going ahead.

The number of people who can attend weddings and funerals is limited to 25.

Parishes are asked to let people know as soon as possible the times of the transmission of Masses online, with no public present.

Local figures:

Experts including the Acting Chief Medical Officer will discuss the country's response to coronavirus at a Covid-19 online conference today.

It comes as 253 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, including 116 in Dublin, with three more deaths.

The Department of Health also reported 22 confirmed cases in Kildare, 14 in Cork, 14 in Galway, 13 in Donegal, 10 in Limerick, 10 in Louth, 9 in Mayo, 8 in Waterford, 7 in Wicklow and the remaining 30 cases are located in Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Westmeath.

The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Royal College of Physicians event will also see business representatives give their views.

President of the RCPI, Professor Mary Horgan says as the cases remain high we must protect the vulnerable: