Coronavirus: 18 Deaths And 349 New Cases Confirmed

National news updates on Tuesday 16th March.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 18 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

17 deaths occurred in March, and 1 in February.

The median age of those who died was 78 years and the age range was 55 – 102 years.

There has been a total of 4,552 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight, Monday 15th March, the HPSC has been notified of 349 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 227,663* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today:

• 172 are men / 177 are women
• 70% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 33 years old
• 156 in Dublin, 23 in Meath, 19 in Donegal, 15 in Louth, 14 in Kildare and the remaining 122 cases are spread across all other counties. **

As of 8am today, 355 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 88 are in ICU. 36 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

As of March 13^th, 615,934 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:

• 451,589 people have received their first dose
• 164,345 people have received their second dose

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community including daily data on Ireland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.

St. Patrick's Day:

More than 2,500 gardaí will be on duty across the country for St Patrick's Day tomorrow. 

People are being urged to follow public health guidelines and to avoid large gatherings and house parties. 

Gardaí have issued more than 2,100 fines to people for organising or attending a house party.

A policing plan is also being rolled out to manage anti-lockdown protests in Dublin which will be supported by air and dog units. 
 

Covid rise:

Ireland’s 'plateau' in fighting Covid is similar to the one witnessed around Halloween, according to NPHET.

The number of new cases dropped by just 3 per cent over the last week.

The week previous, there was a fall of around 20 percent.

Professor Philip Nolan, who chairs NPHET's modelling group, believes this has been caused by more people meeting up.

Woodlands in Wales:

Two woodlands will be created in Wales in memory of those who have died from Covid-19.

The locations in the north and south of the country will be a permanent memorial for families to remember their loved ones.

Today marks one year since the first death from disease was confirmed in Wales.

Scotland:

Details on when the non-essential retail and hospitality sectors in Scotland can reopen will be unveilled later.

The first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she can't provide certainty, but will "try to provide as much clarity as possible".

Initial changes are due in early April.

Leaving Cert:

Leaving Cert students are being reminded to register for the exam or calculated grades before today's deadline.

The candidate portal is due to close at 6pm.

All students must register online, enter their subjects and levels, and confirm how they wish to be assessed.

Guidance counsellor, Roisin O'Donohoe, says students should consider choosing both options at this stage:

Taoiseach's US 'visit':

'Economic recovery' will be the focus of the second day of the Taoiseach's virtual St Patrick's Day visit to the US today. 

Micheál Martin will meet the US Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, to showcase the economic ties between the countries. 

They will discuss how the partnership can help drive economic recovery in both countries, after the pandemic. 

The Taoiseach will conclude the three-day virtual tour by meeting President Joe Biden tomorrow. 

New mothers:

Pregnant women and new mothers have reportedly experienced a "significant increase in poor mental health" during the pandemic.

A report's found they've been at greater risk of anxiety, depression and loneliness during lockdown.

The Centre for Mental Health in the UK, believes the increase is because of reduced access to services and being unable to see friends and family for support. 

Protests:

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer's asking people not to attend protests that could go against public health advice.

It comes as demonstrations are due to take place in Dublin and Belfast later against gender-based violence.

The events, organised by feminist movement ROSA, follow the killing of 33 year-old Sarah Everard in south London.

Dr. Ronan Glynn says people should be avoiding gatherings:

St. Patrick's Day celebrations:

NPHET's urging people not to have takeaway pints or buy 'cans' on St Patrick's Day tomorrow. 

It has also raised concerns about Covid-19 hospital admissions.

There were 360 people with the virus in hospital yesterday, after the number rose for two days in a row. 

85 are in ICU, while 575 new cases were confirmed yesterday and no additional deaths. 

Professor Philip Nolan, who chairs NPHET's modelling group, says he's concerned at the hospital situation:

AstraZeneca:

The European Medicines Agency's safety committee will meet today, as part of its investigation into the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It will also hold an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, when it will make a final call on whether the Covid-19 jab is safe.  

Ireland's among several European countries who have temporarily stopped using the vaccine, over fears it causes blood clots. 

Professor Karina Butler, the head of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, says she's aware this could cause some vaccine scepticism:

Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn says the country hasn't acted lightly in suspending the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine: