News updates for Saturday 5th December 2020.
Latest figures:
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 13 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
There has now been a total of 2,099 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight Friday 4th December, the HPSC has been notified of 456* confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 73,948** confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today:
219 are men / 235 are women
59% are under 45 years of age
The median age is 39 years old
197 in Dublin, 37 in Donegal, 33 in Limerick, 21 in Louth, 20 in Kilkenny and the remaining 148 cases are spread across 21 other counties.
14 cases were confirmed in Offaly, and Laois' total increased by 9.
Less than five cases were reported in Westmeath, which continues to have the third lowest incidence rate in the country at 25.
Offaly's is 51, while Laois has a rate of 56.
The national average 14-Day incidence rate per 100,000 population, which is measured up to yesterday is 80.
As of 2pm today, 231 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 28 are in ICU. 5 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
The Health Department says a technical issue that caused a delay in the uploading of laboratory results to the HPSC has been resolved. However it led to a reduced number of cases being reported in recent days and that's why we are now seeing a higher number of cases today. It says there has been no impact on the management of cases or the timeliness of contact tracing.
Cases:
The Chief Medical Officer says the recent stabilisation in cases of Covid 19 is fragile.
Dr. Tony Holohon say it's within our grasp to maximise our protection against the spread of the virus by following public health advice.
It comes as 265 new cases have been confirmed in the Republic and six more deaths.
Donegal GP Denis McCauley says it is risky to open restaurants and gastropubs:
Pubs:
The Taoiseach has warned people need to take personal responsibility on the first weekend pubs and restaurants are back open.
Yesterday was the first time venues were allowed to serve food indoors since October.
There is a fear among public health officials that the increased socialising will lead to a spike in the number of COVID cases again.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says it's in everyone's own hands to prevent that:
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has Tweeted a weekend message urging people to be safe as the restrictions are relaxed:
Local figures:
There are 265 new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic, and six more deaths.
24 counties have recorded new cases.
84 of today's cases are in Dublin, with 28 in Louth, 27 in Limerick, 19 in Donegal and 15 in both Wicklow and Galway.
The other 77 are spread across 18 other counties.
There are 232 Covid-19 patients in hospital with the virus, with 27 of them in intensive care.
14 people have been hospitalised with Covid in the past 24 hours.
Another six deaths have also been reported today.
The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, says coronavirus cases here are stable, but the situation is fragile.
He's asking people to stick to public health advice to keep the momentum going.
Less than five cases were reported all three midlands counties.
Westmeath has the third lowest incidence rate in the country at 25, with Offaly on 37 and Laois has a rate of 49.
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