Coronavirus: Two More People Have Died

Latest news updates for Saturday 18th July 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 2 people with COVID-19 have died.

There has now been a total of 1,753* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Friday 17th July, the HPSC has been notified of 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,750 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Two of the new cases are in the midlands. 

Offaly has had one new case - bringing the total to 486. 

Westmeath has had it's first new case in eight days. 677 people have tested positive for the illness in the Lake County.

Laois has not had a case reported in 26 days and remains on 265 cases. 

The death toll since the virus broke out here in late February stands at 1,752, after 3 more people died. 

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.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Arming ourselves with knowledge is the best defence we have against COVID-19. Make sure you know the symptoms – cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste – and act quickly in isolating and phoning your GP as early as possible if you experience them. Do not adopt a wait and see approach.

Once again, we must each play our part in stemming the spread of COVID-19 in Ireland - follow the public health advice, reduce your social contacts, keep a distance of 2 metres and plan to see others outdoors where possible, do not organise or attend house parties and wear a face covering when in shops or on public transport.

Let’s not lose sight of our collective goal: to suppress COVID-19 in the community and thereby protect our health, that of our loved ones, and that of the most vulnerable across our society.”

UK:

A further 13 people have died from Covid-19 in England.

It takes the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29-thousand 173.

The NHS say they were aged between 49 and 96 years old, and all had underlying health conditions.

Childcare costs:

Childcare fees will inevitably rise according to a provider.

It's reported some creches are already increasing the cost for parents by up to 10 percent.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman had said that fees for creches would be below the level of average monthly mortgage payments.

Global figures:

The number of people infected with Covid-19 throughout the pandemic is now more than 14-million worldwide.

Figures from Johns Hopkins University indicate that cases have risen by more than 237-thousand in 24 hours globally.

The World Health Organisation says it's a new daily record.

Lockdown:

There could be another lockdown in Ireland if the current trend of cases continues.

That's the warning from the Irish College of General Practitioners' lead advisor on Covid-19, Dr Nuala O'Connor.

34 cases of the virus were confirmed in the Republic yesterday - the highest number in over a month.

Dr O'Connor says the recent trend is a big concern:

Global figures:

Over 237,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 globally yesterday - a new daily record.

The largest rises were in the United States, Brazil and India.

In total over 13.9 million people have been diagnosed with the disease, and 590,000 people have died after testing positive.

Dr Michael Ryan from the World Health Organisation says people need to be conscious about the settings they are in to ensure coronavirus doesn't spread:

Travel:

A former president of the Irish Medical Organisation says the 'green list' for foreign travel should not go ahead on Monday.

The list's set to include countries that people will be able to go to without having to quarantine when they return.

But Dr Martin Daly says it should be postponed, due to the increasing number of cases in Ireland.

Gardaí:

Gardai are carrying out checks on pubs and restaurants again this weekend to see if they're complying with Covid-19 rules.

Pubs are only allowed open if they're serving food, and social distancing must be maintained.

37 licensed premises were found to be in 'potential breach' of the laws over the past two weekends.

Jim Mulligan, president of the Garda Representative Association, says most businesses are sticking to the rules:

Hospitality sector:

The Covid-19 Committee has recommended lowering the VAT rate for the hospitality sector.

The Oireachtas group has published its first report ahead of the July stimulus package being announced by government.

They say there needs to be a balance between grants and loans as many businesses feel they already have enough debt built-up, while also making the restart grant available to more companies.

Committee chairman Michael McNamara says he's unsure whether the businesses should pass on the VAT rebate to customers, as their overheads remain the same:

Latest figures:

34 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed by the Department of Health.

Three  more people with the virus have also lost their lives. 

Latest figures show there have now been 25,730 confirmed covid 19 cases, after a further 34 were recorded today.

There's been a drop in the number of cases in the midlands. The Department of Health has revised the total figures for Offaly.

The Faithful county has seen a drop in one bringing the new total to 485.

There's been no increase in Westmeath in eight days, the total number of cases there remains on 676.

Laois has not had a case reported in 25 days and remains on 265 cases. 

The death toll since the virus broke out here in late February stands at 1,752, after 3 more people died. 

 

 

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