Coronavirus: 4 More Deaths Confirmed Today

News updates on Thursday 18th June.

Latest figures:

Another four people with Covid 19 have died in the Republic, and there are 16 new confirmed cases. 

The death toll now stands at 1,714 and the total number of cases is 25,355. 

The chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, revealed the news in the past few minutes. 

Westmeath has had no new cases in 12 days with its total remaining on 670.

Laois has had no new cases since last Saturday.  264 people have contracted the virus in the O'Moore County. 

One case has been recorded in Offaly  The county has recorded 482 cases. 

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the midlands now stands at 1,416.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 4 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total of 1,714 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Wednesday 17 June the HPSC has been notified of 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,355* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

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, Tuesday 16 June (25,399 cases), reveals:

·57% are female and 43% are male

·the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

·3,282 cases (13%) have been hospitalised

·Of those hospitalised, 417 cases have been admitted to ICU

·8,147 cases are associated with healthcare workers

·Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,239 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,535 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,436 cases (6%)

·Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 37%, close contact accounts for 61%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Thursday 18 June) and noted that approximately half of those diagnosed with COVID-19 in the community take more than 2 days from the onset of symptoms to make contact with their GP.

“The most important actions anyone can take from the moment they experience symptoms associated with COVID-19 is to self-isolate immediately, restrict the movement of household contacts and make phone contact with their GP.”

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “This evening, a new COVID-19 dashboard will be launched which will provide up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community, including the number of daily cases, deaths, number of people in hospital and ICU and a daily update on testing figures.

“In addition, the dashboard also allows people to monitor the number of cases of COVID-19 in their local area. The management of COVID-19 is an individual task, where we all must remain aware of the disease in our community, follow public health advice and adopt protective behaviours.”

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; “The reproductive number is now estimated to be close to 0.7. It is heartening to see that none of the data suggests that there is a significant increase of transmission of COVID-19 in the community since the commencement of Phase 2.”

Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead, said; “COVID-19 symptoms are common symptoms and therefore some people may not be inclined to immediately seek medical attention for a cough, shortness of breath, change in sense of smell or fever to their GP. In the context of this pandemic we are asking you to do so, to help us limit the spread of COVID-19.”

*Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 3 confirmed cases. The figure of 25,355 confirmed cases reflects this.

Meals in Pubs:

People will be able to have a meal in a pub for 1 hour and 45 minutes when they reopen in 11 days' time. 

Fáilte Ireland has issued new guidelines, ahead of the reopening of pubs that serve food on June 29th.

On Tuesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre recommended people be allowed have a meal for only 90 minutes. 

Fáilte Ireland's Paul Hayden also confirms the social distancing rules have been reduced for pubs:

Elderly Care:

The HSE's chief executive says there's a need for 'very significant changes' in the care of vulnerable older people, after the coronavirus crisis. 

Paul Reid will make the remarks at the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee today. 

He'll call for an assessment of governance arrangements for private nursing homes.

About 60 per cent of Ireland's Covid-19 deaths have been in nursing homes or care homes. 

Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly, a member of the committee, is criticising the HSE chief executive's remarks:

Schools:

An infectious diseases specialist is urging health officials to reopen schools on a gradual basis immediately. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet this morning to discuss the roadmap for easing restrictions. 

The plan was accelerated recently, but Professor Sam McConkey, from the Royal College of Surgeons, is calling for a further lifting of restrictions. 

He believes schools should reopen now, for small groups of children. 

Downsizing:

Almost one in three company directors is looking at downsizing offices following Covid-19.

It's the finding of a poll of 3,000 business managers across the country which is looking at how they plan to adapt to returning to work following the outbreak of the disease.

It also found one in eight will not be looking for their staff to continue working from home in the forseeable future.

CEO of the Institute of Directors is Maura Quinn - she says 40 per cent plan to have a mix of in-office workers, and those clocking in at home:

Local figures:

Westmeath has had no new cases in 11 days with its total remaining on 670.

Laois has had no new cases since last Saturday.  264 people have contracted the virus in the O'Moore County. 

No one in Offaly  has tested positive for the illness in the last week. The county has recorded 481 cases. 

The total number of confirmed cases of covid-19 in the midlands remains at 1,415.