Coronavirus: 7 Deaths, 482 New Cases Confirmed

National news updates on Friday 13th November.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 7 additional deaths related to COVID-19. Of the deaths reported today, all occurred in November.

There has been a total of 1,972 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 12^th November, the HPSC has been notified of 482 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 67,099* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today:                                                           

• 238 are men / 244 are women
• 61% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 35 years old
• 128 in Dublin, 45 in Cork, 43 in Waterford, 24 in Donegal, 24 in Meath, 36 in Limerick and the remaining 182 cases are spread across 20 other counties.

As of 2pm today, 258 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 35 are in ICU. 12 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “The increase in case numbers of COVID-19 today is an important reminder of the unpredictable nature of this highly infectious disease. The hard work undertaken by all of us over the last three weeks is to be commended, but we must not allow our success to date let us drop our guard against the spread of this disease.

“We need to hold firm to the public health advice: keep 2m distance, wash our hands, wear face coverings where appropriate and limit ourselves to essential contacts from our own household. If we can keep up high levels of compliance, we can get to where we need to be on the 1^st December.” 

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

*Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 15 confirmed cases. The figure of 67,099 confirmed cases reflects this.

Today’s cases, 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and new cases in last 14 days (as of midnight 12 November 2020) (incidence rate based on Census 2016 county population)

The lowest national 14-day incidence rate was on 3 July 2020 when the rate was 2.98 cases per 100,000 population.

No more splash:

Viking Splash Tours faces liquidation later this month as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The amphibious vehicle tour of Dublin hasn't operated since March.

The company will hold creditors' meetings on November 26th.

However it's understood potential buyers have expressed interest -  prompting hopes of a lifeline.

Taoiseach:

The Taoiseach is encouraging people to see Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions through to the end.

We're at the mid-way point in the measures, and Micheal Martin says the data shows people are complying.

The Taoiseach is paying tribute to the great national effort that's underway to suppress the virus, and bring down the rate of infection across all communities.
 
Micheál Martin says we're one of the leaders in Europe when it comes to progress in pushing back the virus and the data suggests the effort is working.

But he believes we cannot take anything for granted and must continue to adhere to the restrictions for the next three weeks. 
 
He says by continuing to drive down the incidence of the disease, we give ourselves the best chance to reopen parts of our society and enjoy a meaningful Christmas.
 
He says the fact we have been able to make progress at Level 5, while also keeping our schools and construction open, is testament to the tremendous efforts of the people involved in those sectors and the sacrifice and discipline of everyone else. 
 
He's also paying particular tribute to our young people for the successful suppression of the virus among their age groups. 

National Transmission:

Buncrana in Donegal has the highest 14-day incidence rate in the country.

The Health Protection Surveillence Centre has updated its data for local electoral areas - correct to Monday night.

The area in Donegal has an incidence rate of 536 after registering 120 Covid-19 cases over the past week.

However, there's quite a fall to the next highest, which is neighbouring constituency Letterkenny with a rate of  409.

Other areas with high levels of Covid-19 spread include Listowel in Kerry, Newcastle-West in Limerick, Gort Kinvara in Galway and Athlone.

In terms of urban areas, the highest in Dublin is Tallaght with a 14-day incidence rate of 310.

Cork city's north-west consituency has the largest rate of infection in the county, while in Galway the city central area has seen its rate fall to 134.

A number of areas still have a 14-day incidence rate of less the five including Lismore in Waterford, two local electoral areas in Leitrim and Dingle in Kerry.

Northern Ireland:

Businesses in Northern Ireland have criticised an extension to the circuit breaker lockdown.

The restrictions will be in place for another week after Stormont agreed after four days of discussions.

However pubs and licenced restaurants will have to keep their doors shut for two weeks.

The measures have already been in place for four weeks.

General Manager of the Stormont Hotel is Andy McNeill - he says this is the biggest challenge he's faced while working in the industry: 

CMO:

The Chief Medical Officer says international travel will be one of the biggest Covid 19 risks in the run-up to Christmas.

Dr Tony Holohan has urged people to avoid non essential travel - and that includes Irish people abroad flying home for Christmas.

NPHET is hopeful all counties can move out of Level 5 restrictions on December 1st based on the current trends.

But Dr Holohan has raised concerns about the risk of international travel in the weeks ahead:

Case Numbers:

Health officials say they're "almost certain" the number of daily coronavirus cases will fall to below 100 by the start of December.

395 new cases were confirmed last night, along with one additional death.

The 14 day incidence rate is now estimated to be 135 per 100 thousand - one of the lowest in Europe.

Professor Philip Nolan, chair of NPHET's modelling advisory group, says the trends are encouraging: