Coronavirus: 18 More People Have Died

Latest news updates for Monday 27th April 2020.

BREAKING

18 people have died today in the Republic from Covid-19, and there are 386 new cases.

The total number of deaths now stands at 1,102.

There are 19,648 total confirmed cases.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has the details on this evenings deaths:

Total Amount of COVID-19 Cases:
Westmeath = 446
Offaly = 228
Laois = 205

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 18 people with COVID-19 have died, of which 17 were laboratory confirmed.
There have now been a total of 1,102* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of 11am Monday 27th April, the HPSC has been notified of 386 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 19,648 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 25th April (19,095 cases), reveals:
·        57% are female and 42% are male
·        the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years
·        2,625 cases (14%) have been hospitalised
·        Of those hospitalised, 353 cases have been admitted to ICU
·        5,204 cases are associated with healthcare workers
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 9,532 (50% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,127 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,125 cases (6%)
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 63%, close contact accounts for 33%, travel abroad accounts for 4%
 

Gardaí:

Thousands of Garda checkpoints will be in place in the run up to and over the Bank Holiday Weekend, in a bid to ensure compliance with public health travel restrictions.

Operation Fanacht, which was previously in place over the Easter Holidays, will see checkpoints on main routes as well as in towns and villages nationwide.

Gardaí will conduct high visibility patrols at major tourist locations, parks and natural beauty spots.

The operation comes into effect from 7am tomorrow morning and will run until Bank Holiday Monday.

Disabilities:

There are concerns that residential centres for people with intellectual disabilities will be hit as badly as nursing homes during the pandemic.

Inclusion Ireland, which represents people with intellectual disabilities and their families, is meeting with the health Minister this afternoon to discuss their concerns.

According to HIQA figures, almost 3,000 people still remain in institutional settings in Ireland.

Inclusion Ireland has expressed concern over the lack of reporting regarding the numbers of people with intelectual disabilities in institutions who have passed away from Covid 19.

New figures show that the number of residential centres dealing with outbreaks has nearly tripled in the last week.

Inclusion Ireland is meeting with the Minister for Health Simon Harris this afternoon to discuss their concerns.

Inclusion Ireland says it also wants assurances from the Minister that if an outbreak occurs in an institution that families will be informed and kept up to date on developments.
 

Domestic violence:

Gardaí are reporting a 20 per cent increase in domestic abuse related calls compared to this time last year.

The increase is believed to be as a result of people being confined to their homes because of the coronavirus outbreak.

A map is available on "still here dot ie", to help victims find support near their home.

Restrictions:

Being allowed to go more than 2 kilometres from home is the highest priority for people surveyed about restrictions being lifted.

A study of more than 35,000 people found that people are also keen to get back to work, and to be able to spend time in groups.

The Corona Citizens Science Study – which was carried out online anonymously - asked people about the effects of the pandemic and the impact of restrictions on daily life.

In public places, 79% of people say they’ve adapted their own behaviour, but only 38% felt that others did the same.

Superintendent In Midlands Warning Against COVID-19 Fatigue https://t.co/9c3hT4SmRk

— Midlands103 (@Midlands103) April 27, 2020

Global figures:

The number of cases of coronavirus across the world has passed three million for the first time. 

More than 207,000 people have now died of Covid-19.

Almost a million people have been infected in the US and 55,000 have died. 

In New York City alone, 17,300 people have lost their lives. 

UK:

The British prime minister has given a statement outside Downing Street as he returns to work -  insisting the UK is turning the tide against coronavirus.

Boris Johnson, who's just recovered from Covid-19, says there are real signs Britain is passing the peak.

But he insists the UK is facing a moment of maximum risk, and now is not the time to give up with social distancing measures:

Taking a 20 min break from talking about the pandemic! We all need to clear our heads from time to time. Intensity of work of everyone on #Covid19 is super but mind your mental health & wellbeing too! If I can’t get a haircut, the grass may as well have one! Stay safe & keep well pic.twitter.com/NBwoHMEqvp

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 26, 2020

Public needs clear update:

A DCU professor says the public needs a clear pathway on what will happen with the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

It comes amid reports the measures may not be lifted at all, or only eased slightly, from next week.

It’s due to serious concerns at the high number of new cases being recorded.

701 new cases of Covid-19 were announced here last night, along with an additional 26 deaths.

Professor Anthony Staines says people really need to know what the Government’s plans are. 

Scaling up testing:

The Irish College of General Practitioners is welcoming the change in the case definition for testing for Covid-19.

From this week, anyone with a fever, cough or shortness of breath can be tested, while up to now only those in at-risk groups with two symptoms could.

The ICGP supports the rationale behind ramping up the number of tests per week towards 100,000.

Dr. Nuala O'Connor, from the ICGP, says though the system must be able to cope with increased testing:

Extending restrictions:

Public health experts will decide this week how the pandemic containment measures can be eased.

Health minister Simon Harris hopes a plan will be announced around May 5th.

He says we can't expect a major let-up in the restrictions early next month. 

How the Physios in MRHP warm up for the wards! @AnneSha52112442 @physiomagskell @DMHospitalGroup @MagFitzio @soomeraghsandra pic.twitter.com/5OuJtQidma

— Miriam Murphy (@MurfMir) April 24, 2020

Local figures:

26 more people have died from the coronavirus in the Republic - the total death toll has climbed to 1,087.

There are 701 new confirmed cases of the infection, with a total of 19,262 people with the disease.

As of midnight on Friday, 2,576 people have been hospitalised and of those, 349 have been admitted to ICU.

Westmeath has 437 confirmed cases of the illness.

225 people in Offaly have tested positive for COVID-19 and Laois has 205 cases.