Coronavirus: Three Deaths and 253 More Cases Confirmed

National news on Friday 18th September.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 3 people with COVID-19 have died.

There has now been a total of 1,792 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 17 September, the HPSC has been notified of 253 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 32,271* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

• 143 are men / 108 are women
• 71% are under 45 years of age
• 45% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
• 61 cases have been identified as community transmission
• 116 in Dublin, 22 in Kildare, 14 in Cork, 14 in Galway, 13 in Donegal, 10 in Limerick, 10 in Louth, 9 in Mayo, 8 in Waterford, 7 in Wicklow and the remaining 30 cases are located in Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary, Westmeath.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

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 5 confirmed cases. The figure of 32,271 confirmed cases reflects this.

Dulbin:

Cabinet has accepted the full NPHET advice to move Dublin to level three restrictions. 

Extra measures, including the banning of indoor dining, will also be put in place. 

Cabinet Ministers have decided to fully adopt the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team to move Dublin to level three with some additions. 

One Minister described the mood in the room as worried as they left the meeting in the last hour.

On top of the level three restrictions there will be additional measures - including the banning of dining indoors for the restaurants and bars that are already open. 

They will be outdoor seating or takeaway only. 

Religious services are to be moved online which will involve the cancellation of many communion and confirmation services planned for this weekend.

Weddings and funerals are to be limited to 25 attendees.

While people won't be allowed to travel in or out of Dublin except for work, education or other essential travel.

A number of universities have already upped their own safety protocols today by moving many classes entirely online.

While the cabinet meeting heard a lot of sympathy for businesses who may now have to close there was little robust opposition to the measures which are viewed as necessary to stop the increasing number of cases being seen in Dublin.

UK:

More than 10 million people across the UK are now under lockdown restrictions.

From tomorrow, different households across Lancashire - will not be allowed to socialise.

Similar rules have started in the north east of England, where there's also a 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants.

Fatigue:

 A study suggests more than half of people who get coronavirus suffer persistent fatigue, no matter how serious their infection is.

Researchers at Trinity College found patients still reported tiredness and exhaustion 10 weeks after recovering.

Even those who weren't admitted to hospital had similar levels of fatigue as those who were.

Tom Stayte is still struggling, six months after getting Covid-19.

Covid Committee:

The IRFU says it's facing an 'unprecedented cashflow crisis' and will lose at least 62 million euro this year. 

The organisation says the very existence of professional rugby could be under 'significant threat' in 2021. 

The GAA, IRFU, FAI and Sport Ireland will all appear before the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee today, 

The IRFU will say its key issue is the absence of spectators and the situation is 'catastrophic' financially. 

Its net losses are forecast at 30 million euro this year, but a further 32 million euro won't be taken in as a result of money owed from ten-year ticket sales. 

The union says the IRFU and the provinces will continue to 'burn' 5 million euro a month, mainly on wages, and that's not sustainable. 

It will say the professional game across the island of Ireland could be under 'significant threat' in 2021. 

The GAA will also say its financial situation is 'stark'. 

It faces a 50 million euro hole in its finances this year, and further losses of at least 20 million euro expected in 2021. 

The FAI will say it has gone from one crisis to another - and the association won't survive financially without fans attending international and League of Ireland games. 

It will say League of Ireland clubs may not be viable in the future.

Survey:

A survey's found people in Connacht were most likely to break lockdown earlier this year. 

45 per cent admit they went beyond the allowed distance from home for reasons other than work, care or groceries. 

Geographical information company Esri  commissioned the poll of a thousand people. 

Its market engagement manager Michael Byrne says it suggests lockdown suited city dwellers better:

Dublin Restrictions:

The cabinet is expected to approve moving Dublin to level three Covid-19 restrictions this evening. 

Some additional restrictions are expected on top of the level three guidelines.

This morning the cabinet sub-committee on COVID will meet to consider the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team to escalate restrictions in Dublin.

The capital will be moved to level three on the new roadmap, with an expectation there may be some additional measures.

Under level three pubs that don't serve food are allowed to open, but they will remain shut in Dublin.

People won't be allowed to leave the county unless it's for work, education or other essential reasons.

It's expected to be similar restrictions on anyone entering Dublin.

The amount of people attending weddings and funerals will be reduced to 25.

Religious services like mass will move online.

Visitors from one other household only will be allowed in your home or garden.

No organised indoor gatherings can take place - and all matches will be cancelled with the exception of professional sport and senior GAA intercounty or club games.

Non-contact training can continue in pods of less than 15.

There will be further restrictions on hotels, bars and restaurants and people will be advised to work from home.

The official announcement won't come until this evening, with the regulations expected to take effect from midnight.