National news updates on Friday 5th November.
Latest Figures:
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 8 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
There has been a total of 1,940* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight Thursday 5th November, the HPSC has been notified of 499 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 64,538** confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today;
244 are men / 249 are women
68% are under 45 years of age
The median age is 32 years old
175 in Dublin, 72 in Cork, 29 in Limerick, 26 in Mayo, 21 in Meath and the remaining 176 cases are spread across 19 other counties.
As of 2pm today 292 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 37 are in ICU. 24 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
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 1 death. The figure of 1,940 deaths reflects this.
**Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 7 confirmed cases. The figure of 64,538 confirmed cases reflects this.
Liverpool testing:
People living and working in Liverpool can get a regular Covid-19 test from today.
The UK city is part of a pilot to see if regular screening can stop the spread of the virus.
It will take 15 minutes to find out if someone tests positive.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it will make a huge difference:
England in lockdown:
104 protestors have been arrested in central London at a demo against the lockdown in England.
Police there say the majority were detained for 'breaches of Covid-19 regulations', after campaigners ignored warnings from officers.
These people in London - who were not part of the protest - say they're willing to comply with the new rules, but admit it's not like the last lockdown:
14-day incidence nationwide:
Galway city centre now has the highest inner-city incidence rate of Covid-19 in the country.
It's had a case rate of 531 per 100 thousand people in the last fortnight -- more than double the national average.
Buncrana in Co Donegal has the highest rate at 594, with Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan just behind at 593.
Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart is the highest in Dublin, and Cork North-West has the largest rate in Cork.
Corca Dubhuine in Kerry has the lowest rate in the country.
Mayor of Galway is Mike Cubbard, he's been nervously watching his area's case rate rise in recent weeks:
Mayor Cubbard says everyone there needs to work together to bring the infections down:
Status Red in nursing homes:
Nursing Homes Ireland says the rise in community transmission is now showing itself in nursing homes across the country.
5 homes have been placed on a 'status red' alert for Covid 19 by the HSE, which means they're getting intensive support.
According to the latest data from the Health Protection Surveillence Centre there are 52 open clusters in the settings.
Nursing Homes Ireland Chief Executive, Tadhg Daly is urging the public to help prevent the virus from entering:
Mr. Daly says some nursing homes need serious support:
No lifting of restrictions early:
The Chief Medical Officer says the full six weeks of level 5 restrictions will be necessary.
A review is to be carried out at four weeks but NPHET is warning it doesn't anticipate recommending any restrictions being eased before December.
The 14 day incidence rate is now estimated to be 202 per 100 thousand down from over 300 two weeks ago.
NPHET says if compliance remains high the virus could be reduced to low daily case numbers by December.
But Dr Tony Holohan says people need to do their best:
Non-essential retailers had hoped they would be allowed reopen earlier due to the progress that has been made to suppress the virus.
Dr. Holohan says when restrictions are eased compliance will need to remain high:
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