Coronavirus: 7 New Deaths Confirmed

National news: Friday 5th June 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 7 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total 1,670* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 4 June the HPSC has been notified of 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,163** confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Locally, one new case has been confirmed in Westmeath.

It brings the county's total to 671.

The number remains the same in both Offaly at 479 and Laois on 261.

The midlands total for confirmed cases now stands at 1,410.

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

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Wednesday 3 June (25,135 cases), reveals:

·        57% are female and 43% are male
·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
·        3,312 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
·        Of those hospitalised, 410 cases have been admitted to ICU
·        8,046 cases are associated with healthcare workers
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,118 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,527 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,419 cases (6%)
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 39%, close contact accounts for 59%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Today, Government confirmed Ireland’s progression into Phase Two of Ireland’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business will proceed on Monday 8 June 2020.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “As we move to Phase Two, the Government has introduced a range of new measures in line with the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

“It is our individual behaviours and personal choices that will ultimately influence what course this disease takes over the coming weeks and months.”

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “The reopening of  playgrounds in public locations and outdoor amenities including zoos, animal parks and summer camps, as well as the summer education programme for children with special educational needs, are some of the measures that is hoped will ease the severity of this pandemic on children and their families.”

Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “Phase Two provides vulnerable groups scope for home visits of up to 6 people for a short period of time, however it is vitally important that all visits to homes of vulnerable people be compliant with hand hygiene practices, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing of 2 metres. It is hoped as we move through phases, that life becomes easier for severely impacted groups but that their safety is maintained at all times.”

*Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 1 death. The figure of 1,670 deaths reflects this.

**Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 7 confirmed cases. The figure of 25,163 confirmed cases reflects this.

Government announcement:

Taoiseach confirms it's safe to move to phase 2 of easing Covid 19 restrictions from Monday.

The roadmap will also be accelerated - and there will now be 4 stages, rather than 5.

Wages:

The COVID emergency unemployment payment has been extended until phase five of the lockdown exit plan.

While the temporary wage subsidy scheme will last until the end of August. 

From the 29th of June the COVID unemployment payment will become two tier.

Anyone who had been earning less than 200 euro a week before losing their jobs will move to a 203 euro a week payment.

Anyone else will remain on the 350 euro payment. 

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says the payments will continue over the next few months:

We are moving to Phase 2.

Read @CMOIreland's letter with to Minister for Health @SimonHarrisTD here: https://t.co/v3pZhc2a22#StayLocal #HoldFirm

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) June 5, 2020

ICTU: 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions says any company that's not able to observe the health and safety measures under the national Return to Work Safely Protocol should defer reopening.

The Congress said it's crucial that as we move into phase 2 of the reopening of the economy, it is done in a safe manner.

ICTU general secretary Patricia King said while progress has been made, we can't cut corners and compromise workplace safety:

House parties:

People are being urged to stay away from house parties during the Covid-19 restrictions.

The State's Chief Medical Officer is making the appeal, saying gatherings in homes are taking place "with abandon" across the country. 

Five more people with the virus have died, bringing the death toll to 1,664, while there have been 25,142 confirmed cases since the crisis  began here in late February.

CMO Dr. Tony Holohan says house parties shouldn't be happening currently:

Restrictions:

Phase two of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions is likely to get the go ahead today.

Cabinet Ministers are expected to approve the next step of the lifting of restrictions with some measures brought forward to earlier than expected.

It's expected phase two will get the go ahead today.

It would mean that from Monday non-essential retail shops can open, including larger retailers such as IKEA - a measure brought forward from phase three.

This will exclude stores in shopping centres and they will need to have a ground level open entrance.

It's expected playgrounds will also be allowed to re-open. 

A system for people to be able to visit relatives in nursing homes is also being examined.

Under phase two people will be allowed to meet in groups of four inside someone's home as long as social distancing is maintained.

The 5km limit on travel and exercise will be extended from 5 to 20 kilometres.

Sports teams will be allowed to return to training but not to play matches, while the number of people attending a funeral will increase though will still be capped.

Health Minister Simon Harris said late last night that the easing of measures will likely include something for the two groups he believes have been disproportionately impacted by this crisis, children and the elderly.

Study:

A study into the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine (PR: High-drocks-ee-ch-lor-ah-quinn) at preventing Covid-19 has been retracted.

The research, which was published in the Lancet medical journal stopped a number of trials into the use of the drug to prevent the disease.

The publishers of the journal have said they were unable to carry out an independent audit of the data used in the study.

Latest Figures: 

One new confirmed case has been reported in the midlands.

The figure in Offaly has now risen to 479 - it's first new case in eight days.

Westmeath remains on 670, and Laois on 261.

The total of confirmed cases in the midlands now stands at 1,409.