Coronavirus: A Further 59 People Have Died

Latest new updates on Tuesday 28th April 2020.

Latest Figures:

There have been a further 59 deaths from Covid-19 in the Republic today. 

299 new cases have also been confirmed.

There's now a total of 896 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Midlands. 

Westmeath remains the county with the highest number of patients with 448, up 2 from Tuesday. 

Offaly has seen an increase of 8 cases from 228 to 236. 

Laois has the smallest number of confirmed cases in the region, they now have 212 people diagnosed up from 205 the day before. 

It brings the death toll to 1159 and the number of confirmed cases stands at 19,877. 

Statement in full this evening:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 59 people with COVID-19 have died, of which 45 were laboratory confirmed.

There have now been a total of 1,159* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of 11am Tuesday 28th April, the HPSC has been notified of 229 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 19,877 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.

As of midnight Monday 27 April, 153,054 tests have been carried out. Over the past week, 41,470 tests were carried out and of these 5,335 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 12.9%.

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 26th April (19,383 cases), reveals:

58% are female and 42% are male

the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years

2,638 cases (14%) have been hospitalised

Of those hospitalised, 358 cases have been admitted to ICU

5,414 cases are associated with healthcare workers

Dublin has the highest number of cases at 9,624 (50% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,147 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,126 cases (6%)

Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 63%, close contact accounts for 33%, travel abroad accounts for 3%

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Tuesday 28 April) to determine a phased, risk-based, public health approach to inform any change to measures currently in place. It will continue to review evidence to enable the Minister for Health to make formal recommendations to Government over the coming days.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “While there are many facets to Ireland’s approach to managing the impact of COVID-19, NPHET’s primary responsibility is to consider the impact on the public’s health and to advise on measures that can limit that impact.”

Restrictions:

Cabinet Ministers have been told there's no indication that Coronavirus disease levels are low enough to start easing restrictions. 

There was a split among Ministers in what should be done next with a decision likely to be made on Friday.

At today's cabinet meeting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Health Minister Simon Harris set out the current state of play.

They said the medical evidence is not there at the moment to allow the easing of restrictions next week.

Ministers Charlie Flanagan and Shane Ross were also urging caution within the group when it comes to the lifting of the lockdown.

Others though argued the government needs to start to lift some restrictions from next week.

Various arguments were made - mainly around the social and economic impacts of the virus.

Some pointed out that businesses may not re-open at all if this drags on much longer, while others stressed people need something to look forward to and that there should be some easing of social distancing for the elderly.

Sources said the Taoiseach largely held his council on his own opinions. 

The cabinet will meet again on Friday when it will be asked to sign off on an extension of the lockdown period and potentially to slightly ease some of the restrictions.

International figures:

Latest figures show there have been more than 3 million Covid-19 cases globally, and over 212,000 deaths.

It comes as the Scottish government becomes the latest to recommend citizens wear a face mask in enclosed public spaces. 

According to Johns Hopkins University, Covid-19 cases have risen above 3 million, with over 212,000 deaths. 

In the US, where President Trump says he may seek damages from China, the death toll has risen above 56,000, with close to 1 million cases. 

The Texas Governor is allowing the Stay at Home order to end on Thursday, similar to Georgia and Alaska, which have already started reopening. 

In New York measures wont be lifted until at least May 15, but only where there's been a two week decline in hospitalizations.

Over 24-thousand people have died in the UK, including 4-thousand-300 care home deaths. 

Another 552 people have died in English hospitals, with 17 more in Wales.

In Scotland, where there's been a further 70 fatalities, citizens are being advised to cover their faces in public spaces like shops. 

First minister Nicola Sturgeon says it shouldn't make people feel "invincible". 
 

Irish Water:

Unusually dry weather in March and April has led to Irish Water appealing for people to conserve water for essential use only.

The company says the public should avoid using it for watering gardens or power washing.

It should be used for hand washing, cooking and sanitation.

Virtual Protest:

A virtual protest will be held online tomorrow in support of workers at Debenhams.

Earlier this month, the department store told its 1500 staff members in Ireland that it doesn't expect its Irish stores to reopen.

A number of protests were held at stores nationwide last week, but Gardai shut down one on Dublin's Henry Street due to the current restrictions on movement.

Mandate Trade Union and Uplift - People Powered Change are asking people to join tomorrow's virtual protest and hear directly from affected workers.

Testing:

Most people who call their GPs won't be tested for COVID-19 if they're displaying a symptom of the illness.

The HSE's new testing criteria states anyone with one symptom - a fever, cough or shortness of breath  - is eligible for a test, but only if they're in a priority group.

These include healthcare workers, those at risk of severe infection and anyone in close contact with a confirmed case.

Sinn Fein:

The government has been accused of kite flying and raising expectations about the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

A decision on how the lockdown will be extended beyond May 5th will be made on Friday.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has written to the Taoiseach, saying the government shouldn't have been raising expectations that more could be done on May 5th:

Meeting:

The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting this morning to discuss the next steps in the country's fight against Covid-19.

Public health officials will examine whether it's appropriate to lift any restrictions after next Monday.

According to reports this morning, the lockdown will largely remain unchanged for a further two weeks. 

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan is warning that even if decisions are made today, they may be changed: 

Creche:

Creche fees could drop under a plan to set up a public childcare system as part of a new programme for government. 

The proposal being considered would include a pre-school scheme, full day and after school care provided and could cost parents 100 euro per child a week. 
 
Under the plan, the state would continue to fund childcare workers wages when the pandemic ends. 

Providers would lose subsidies for existing childcare schemes and would be required to reduce their fees. 

Fianna Fail spokesperson on children and youth affairs Anne Rabbitte says it's envisaged providers would be invited to participate in a pilot scheme a first: 

Border:

Border TDs are calling for the legislation, imposing restrictions on movement, to be amended to ensure they apply to everyone -  including day visitors from outside the state. 

It’s emerged there’s a loophole in the law, meaning people visiting the Republic and not staying the night, aren't affected by the restriction rules.

Fianna Fail Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue says the 'loophole' should be closed without delay:

Court:

An 18 year old man is due to appear in court charged with breaching Covid-19 laws. 

He was arrested in the Ballymun area yesterday evening. 

The charges relate to a number of incidents in which he had failed to comply with directions given by Gardaí under the legislation. 

The 18 year old is  also expected to be charged in connection with a seizure of suspected cocaine with a value of €5k in the Ballymun area on the 22nd April 2020.

He is due to be brought before a sitting of Dublin District Court this morning. 

Operation Fanacht:

Thousands of garda checkpoints and patrols will be in place over the coming days in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19.

It's a continuation of Easter's Operation Fanacht and is aimed at enforcing the current travel restrictions.

Beauty spots, parks and beaches will be targeted, along with main roads in cities, towns and villages.

It comes amid growing criticism of the new Covid-19 laws, after confirmation restrictions cannot be enforced on people traveling here on day trips from Northern Ireland.

Donegal's Garda Representative Association spokesperson, Brendan O'Connor says he doesn't anticipate it to be a big issue over the coming days:

Misleading health information during #COVID19 is a problem. If you take false information as fact, it may mislead you into making the wrong decisions. Question where information has come from and take your time before sharing it https://t.co/bBL3VqBvEw #ItsInOurHands pic.twitter.com/yPzDbiqdML

— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) April 27, 2020

Lockdown expected to be extended:

The national lockdown is expected to be extended for another two weeks for the vast majority of people. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet this morning to discuss whether it should be extended beyond May 5th.

But according to the Irish Independent, very little change is likely for the following fortnight. 

However, over 70s may be allowed to exercise outside their homes once a day and outdoor workers may be able to return to work. 

Health Minister Simon Harris says health experts will ultimately decide:

Criteria widened:

The criteria for Covid-19 testing are being broadened from this morning, to include more suspected cases of the virus. 

Now those with either a fever, a recent cough, or shortness of breath can look for a test.

A further 18 people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the death toll to 1,102, while there are now 19,648 confirmed cases. 

The total number of cases in the midlands now stands at 879 - 446 in Westmeath, 228 in Offaly and 205 in Laois. 

Chief medical officer Tony Holohan says there'll be an increase in cases this week, with the testing changes: