Coronavirus: 10 Deaths And 613 New Cases Reported By Health Department

National news updates for Saturday 3rd October 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 10 people with COVID-19 have died.

There has now been a total of 1,810* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Friday 2nd October, the HPSC has been notified of 613 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 37,668** confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

· 315 are men / 294 are women

· 68% are under 45 years of age

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

· 58 cases have been identified as community transmission

· 224 cases are in Dublin, 58 in Donegal, 46 in Cork, 44 in Kildare,31 in Limerick, 28 in Laois, 21 in Kerry, 19 in Galway, 17 in Clare, 13 in Meath, 12 in Louth, 12 in Monaghan, 9 in Offaly, 9 in Tipperary, 9 in Wicklow, 8 in Cavan, 8 in Wexford, 7 in Carlow, 7 in Sligo, 7 in Roscommon, 6 in Mayo , 5 in Kilkenny, 5 in Westmeath, with the remaining 7 cases in 3 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.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: “The numbers being reported today and over the past week represent a significant escalation in the profile of COVID-19 in Ireland.

For those aged 70+ and those who are medically vulnerable to COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that you should limit the number of people you meet to a very small core group of family members, carers or friends, for short periods of time, while remaining physically distant.

We need to work together once again to make a significant impact on the number of cases in the community, and ultimately to reduce the number of people getting sick, being admitted to hospital and critical care, while protecting non-COVID healthcare services. I urge people in every county to follow the public health advice to stop the further spread of COVID-19.”

Nursing homes:

The Oireachtas Covid-19 committee is to recommend a public inquiry into Covid-19 linked deaths in nursing homes.

That's according to the Irish Times, which says it has seen a draft of the committee's final report.

The report states that the State "failed to recognise the level of risk posed to those in nursing homes".

It says the inquiry should examine the "large-scale discharge of patients from acute hospitals" as well as "decision-making around those discharges".

It also states that a recommendation made in March by NPHET that visitor bans to nursing homes were "premature" should be examined.

Visors:

Visors aren't effective in protecting you against Covid-19, that's according to a Cork GP.

Dr Ronan Boland says people shouldn't be wearing visors without the addition of a facemask:

Spain:

Madrid has become the first European capital to go back into strict lockdown.

People can no longer travel outside their homes, except for essential journeys.

Tighter restrictions have also been placed on bars and restaurants.

More than three million people are affected by the new rules.

President Trump:

Donald Trump's doctor says he's 'doing very well' and is 'resting comfortably' after being taken to hospital with coronavirus.

The White House insists it's out of an 'abundance of caution' and expects the US President to be there for a 'few days'.

He's being treated with an antiviral medication after experiencing mild symptoms - but hasn't needed oxygen.

It's a month before the Presidential election - and days after he clashed with his rival in the first official debate.

Christine Pelosi who's a Democratic strategist says the dynamics have changed:

The President's actions have been called into question after he appeared not to restrict his movements despite a close aide contracting Covid-19.

But former chair of the Californian Republican Party, Tom Del Beccaro, says it's too soon to cast judgement:

Gatherings:

An expert says it's critical people follow the Nphet advice on restrictions on gatherings in people's homes.

Under the new rules people should only have a maximum of 6 visitors from 1 other household to their house.

It comes as 470 new cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed, with 1 more death.

Trinity College Dublin Professor in Immunology, Rachel McLoughlin says people need to act as the figures are going in the wrong direction:

EU:

The Taoiseach says there's a serious concern across Europe over the health and economic impacts of coronavirus.

Micheal Martin's been speaking after a two day meeting in Brussels.

The Taoiseach's described discussions at the European Council meeting on Covid-19 and Europe's response to the pandemic as 'useful'.

Council members outlined their countries' experience of it and stated their determination to stand together and step up the joint effort on a number of fronts, including finding vaccines at EU level.

Micheal Martin says the situation in Ireland in relation to Covid-19 is very similar to the pattern across Europe, with younger people affected first and then a higher incidence in the older population emerging.

He says the recovery package agreed at the July summit to counter the effects of Covid-19, will be used to promote the European recovery and strengthen the EU's resilience.

Prisoners:

There are calls for this month's budget to end 'pandemic discrimination' of pensioners.

Wexford Councillor Michael Sheehan's calling on the Equality Commission to investigate age discrimination in the Pandemic Payment.

Councillor Sheehan says pensioners who were hit hardest, were also blocked from applying for the PUP even if they were working when Covid struck:

Northern Ireland:

There are calls for no 'knee-jerk reaction' to the huge surge in Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland.

934 new infections were confirmed yesterday - more than twice as many as the previous one-day record.

New restrictions were announced for the hospitality sector in Strabane and Derry on Thursday.

Anne Speed, the lead negotiator for the North's health trade unions, says it's likely more measures will now be introduced:

Local figures:

The Acting Chief Medical Officer says the Covid 19 situation nationally is a "matter of serious concern".

470 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed this evening - the highest daily figure since the middle of May.

198 of the cases are in Dublin, 61 in Cork, 36 in Donegal and 19 in Kildare and Limerick.

Longford, Offaly and Westmeath all reporting 9 new cases each. 

One further death has also been recorded.

Acting CMO Ronan Glynn is urging people not to take a risk by meeting up with more than one other household.

More from Midlands News

Download Our App