Coronavirus: 3 Deaths Confirmed; 484 New Cases

National news updates on Thursday 17th December.

Latest Figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 3 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

There has been a total of 2,143 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Wednesday 16th December, the HPSC has been notified of 484 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 77,678* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

  • 246 are men / 238 are women
  • 59% are under 45 years of age
  • The median age is 37 years old
  • 150 in Dublin, 45 in Wexford, 40 in Cork, 32 in Donegal, 29 in Limerick and the remaining 188 cases are spread across 20 other counties. 

 As of 2pm today 200 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 31 are in ICU. 30 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

               
                   
         

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “The 5-day moving average is 387 per day– this is an indicator that the disease is moving quickly when compared to the previous 5-day average. The virus is spreading throughout the country, in all age groups.

“We are now getting reports of outbreaks in social settings including workplace settings, Christmas parties and funerals. I cannot stress enough how important it is to limit your interactions now. The consequences of not doing so will be exponential growth in January, a substantial increase in hospitalisations and risk to life.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “COVID-19 represents a significant threat to people’s ability to enjoy the Christmas and New Year period. Please think about each of your social contacts and consider whether now is the time to be meeting with them. Meet up outside where possible and avoid all crowded settings. If you have symptoms please isolate immediately and contact your GP without delay  – do not go to work and do not meet up with other people. If you are identified as a close contact it is vital that you restrict your movements.

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said: “The reproduction number is now estimated between 1.1 -1.3. We are concerned that Ireland is now in a phase of rapid growth, which if allowed continue, will result in 700 - 1200 cases per day by the second week in January, if not sooner. We are particularly concerned about older people and vulnerable adults, who have protected themselves through the second wave, and are now at risk during the festive season.”

Dr. Deirdre Mulholland, Director of Public Health, HSE East, said; “Intergenerational mixing over Christmas, especially in an environment of rapid growth of incidence, poses a significant risk to older and vulnerable people. It is so important to reduce your contacts and follow public health advice now, in order to protect lives.”

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 3 confirmed case. The figure of 77,678 confirmed cases reflects this.

 

County

 

Today's cases (to midnight 16Dec2020)

 

14-Day incidence rate per 100,000 population (to 16Dec2020)

 

New Cases during last 14 days

(16Dec2020)

 

IRELAND

 

484

 

94.2

 

4,486

 

Donegal

 

32

 

246.9

 

393

 

Louth

 

13

 

207.9

 

268

 

Kilkenny

 

<5

 

190.5

 

189

 

Cavan

 

6

 

154.9

 

118

 

Carlow

 

6

 

151.1

 

86

 

Longford

 

7

 

149.2

 

61

 

Laois

 

23

 

141.7

 

120

 

Monaghan

 

10

 

135.2

 

83

 

Limerick

 

29

 

130.8

 

255

 

Mayo

 

10

 

112.6

 

147

 

Dublin

 

150

 

104.6

 

1,410

 

Offaly

 

10

 

91.1

 

71

 

Wexford

 

45

 

88.8

 

133

 

Wicklow

 

9

 

85.7

 

122

 

Waterford

 

11

 

79.2

 

92

 

Tipperary

 

11

 

71.4

 

114

 

Meath

 

17

 

69.7

 

136

 

Kildare

 

7

 

69.7

 

155

 

Kerry

 

25

 

57.5

 

85

 

Galway

 

8

 

50.4

 

130

 

Sligo

 

<5

 

50.4

 

33

 

Roscommon

 

7

 

43.4

 

28

 

Westmeath

 

<5

 

34.9

 

31

 

Cork

 

40

 

34.4

 

187

 

Leitrim

 

0

 

28.1

 

9

 

Clare

 

<5

 

25.2

 

30

 

 

Taoiseach's covid scare:

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is restricting his movements pending the results of a COVID test. 

He was in contact with French President Emmanuel Macron at the European Council last week. 

President Macron has tested positive for COVID-19 - and the Taoiseach is restricting his movements as a precaution.

Micheál Martin has had a rapid test with the results expected this afternoon. 

Sky's Europe correspondent Michelle Clifford says Mr. Macron has come into contact with other global leaders this week:

Pets:

A third of pet owners in the UK admit to talking to their animals more during the pandemic - about anything from the weather to football and TV.

A study by Purina says around the same figure claim their furry friends have been "hugely important" to their mental health during the crisis.

Psychologist Jo Hemmings says people underestimate how important pets can be:

 

PARKING: The local authority is hoping it will entice people to shop locally.

Posted by Midlands 103 on Thursday, 17 December 2020

Vitamin D:

Health officials don't believe there's 'enough evidence' to suggest taking Vitamin D prevents or treats Covid-19.

Leading organisations were asked to look into it after some studies found it might be effective.

They've concluded more research is needed.

Kerry school:

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