Coronavirus: 8 Further Deaths Recorded

National News: 2nd June 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 8 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total 1,658 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Monday 1 June the HPSC has been notified of 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,066 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.

One new case has been confirmed in the midlands, bringing the total figure for the region to 1,407.

Westmeath's figure has increased to 670.

Neither Offay nor Laois recorded any increase in cases.

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 31 May (25,056 cases), reveals:

·        57% are female and 43% are male
·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
·        3,292 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
·        Of those hospitalised, 408 cases have been admitted to ICU
·        7,986 cases are associated with healthcare workers
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,090 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,517 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,419 cases (6%)
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 39%, close contact accounts for 58%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Over the past week there have been approximately 500 new cases of COVID-19 notified, 54% of which are aged between 24-55 years old. Incidences of these cases are spread across 21 counties in Ireland. While we are doing well, the potential for spread remains present across all regions of the country.

“NPHET will meet on Thursday 4 June and submit further recommendations to Government for consideration.”

Dr Cillian De Gascun, Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, said: “As of midnight Monday 1 June, 348,416 tests have been carried out. Over the past week, 22,621 tests were carried out and of these 389 were positive, giving a positivity rate of 1.7%.”


Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “47% of people are taking longer than 4 days from onset of symptoms to being swabbed. We are strongly encouraging all members of the public to know the symptoms of COVID-19 and seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.”

Waiting lists:

A million people could be waiting on an appointment in the public health system by the end of the year if non-COVID care can't ramp up soon. 

The Irish Medical Organisation has warned the capacity of the system may be halved to comply with social distancing rules.

It's called on the government to build temporary facilities to make up for the capacity being lost when the takeover of private hospitals ends later this month.

Consultant in Tallaght Hospital Anthony O'Connor told an Oireachtas committee many people could be waiting on an appointment:

Mandatory masks:

Any move to reduce the social distancing requirement from 2 metres to 1, should only be considered if people HAVE TO wear a mask.

That's the view of a leading health expert, as the country prepares for the possible next phase of the government's roadmap for reopening on Monday.

A study published by the Lancet Journal shows the risk of spreading the virus is reduced six fold if people wear masks.

Professor Luke O Neil from Trinity College says they should be mandatory:

Phase 2:

There is a good chance that we can move into phase 2 as scheduled, according to the Government.

The country is due to enter the next phase of the lifting of restrictions on Monday the 8th of June.

The Department of the Taoiseach says that although there were reports of a number of breaches of the guidelines over the weekend, the majority of people complied.

Spokesperson Elizabeth Canavan says they are hopeful that restrictions will be lifted as scheduled next week:

Activities:

Three in four Irish people are concerned about resuming normal activities like going to the cinema or taking public transport.

A survey by EY Seren shows 78 per cent are uncomfortable with going to the cinema, 76 per cent say they are anxious about returning to the gym and 73 per cent are worried about using public transport. 

According to the Irish Independent, the survey highlights how hard it could be for businesses to resume operations as people continue to fear the spread of Covid-19. 

70 per cent of those surveyed say there were uncomfortable with the idea of going to a restaurant.

Nursing homes:

Age Action Ireland has described the nursing home system in Ireland  as "incentivising institutionalised living".

The large numbers of Covid-19 deaths in nursing home settings has renewed calls for a shifting of focus of the Fair Deal Nursing home funding scheme to one that funds home care for the elderly.

As many as 60 per cent of deaths from Covid-19 have taken place in residential settings. 

Age Action Ireland says studies show outcomes in these settings are poorer than when a person is cared for at home.

Worldwide Figures:

The total number of cases of Covid-19 across the world is approaching 6.3 million. 

The US continues to be the worst affected country - with 1.8 million cases.

Donald Trump says America will be pulling out of the World Health Organisation. 

But its director-general, Tedros Ghebreyesus, hopes they'll continue to work together:

Delighted to have met with @siptuhealth this lunchtime on a range of #Covid19 issues. Very grateful to them & all our health unions and stakeholders for the huge efforts being undertaken by their members during this ongoing pandemic. Looking forward to meeting again next week

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 2, 2020

Quarantine:

It's claimed plans to force arrivals to the UK to be quarantined for 14-days could be phased out within weeks.

The Times and Telegraph both claim the policy - due to start on Monday - will be replaced with a new system, allowing quarantine-free travel to certain countries.

The Guardian's also suggests any travellers to the UK will be able to move between accommodation and go food shopping during their lockdown.

Fit for purpose:

The HSE says many public hospitals aren't capable of providing the safe distancing needed to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

The executive will tell an Oireachtas committee today they are not 'fit for purpose'. 

Leinster House's special committee on Covid-19 will meet again this morning. 

According to The Irish Times, the HSE will say even a 'relatively modest spike' in the spread of the virus would have a very significant impact on critical care beds and the wider hospital system. 

It comes as one more person died from the virus and there are 77 new confirmed cases.

The committee will also discuss the current restrictions in place. 

It's been reported restrictions could be eased quicker than expected, but health officials are expected to advise against that today. 

The committee will also discuss the use of private hospitals by the state. 

The government won't be renewing the current three-month contract, but the HSE will say it has had 'very substantive benefits'. 

But the Irish Hospital Consultants Association will say it isn't working and should be ended without delay. 

Antibodies:

Ireland's gradual return to the workplace could be helped along by a Covid-19 antibody testing regime for workers.

The Tropical Medical Bureau is offering testing for Covid-19 antibodies at some of its clinics and the testing may later be rolled out to various workplaces if there is a demand for it.

It comes as one more person has died from the virus and there are 77 new confirmed cases.

Dr Graham Frey from the bureau says results could be obtained in 48 hours and there was a high accuracy rate:

Zoo:

Dublin Zoo reopens today on a trial basis with a range of new measures in place.

It's been closed since March 12th in line with public health advice.

For the first time in  eleven weeks, members of the public will be able to visit one of the city's most popular and beloved attractions.

The animals in Dublin Zoo have been without human admirers since March 12, but now people will be allowed in in limited numbers and are only permitted to walk in one direction... to allow for social distancing

Tickets are availble by prebooking online only and there are just 2 visiting periods a day, with a mximum of 500 people allowed in per session

The first of those begins at 9.30am and ends at 1pm. The second session is from 2pm until 5.30.

All internal and enclosed spaces such as shops and animal houses will remain closed for the time being.

Schools:

There's a call on the Education Minister to reopen schools earlier than September.

Dublin GP Aoife Ni Sheaghdha is making the call, saying it makes no sense to have the pubs open before schools.

She says there's no medical evidence that children are super spreaders of Covid 19. 

Dr. Ni Sheaghdha who's medical director of Trinity Clinic, says the schools should be gradually reopened:

Nursing Homes:

The large numbers of Covid-19 deaths in nursing home settings has reignited calls for a shift of focus from the Fair Deal Nursing Home funding scheme to one that funds home care for the elderly.

Under the current scheme, 7.5 per cent of the value of a person's home is charged for three years to pay for the nursing home care... this can be deferred until after a person's death. However the scheme is not available for home care.

Studies have shown that outcomes for residents in large settings are far poorer than if a person is cared for at home. 

Paddy Connolly from Age Action Ireland says people do not do well in large institutions:

Pay Cuts:

Almost 30 per cent of companies have temporarily cut the pay of their staff since the outbreak of the Covid-19 emergency.

That's according to a new survey from hiring specialists Osborne.

The survey also found that 33% of respondents were continuing to hire, compared to an estimated 75% in more normal times.

These companies were mostly in the medical and pharma sectors.

Latest Figures:

Westmeath is the only county in the region to record an increase in its number of cases. There are now 669 people diagnosed with the illness in the county. 

Offaly has had no new cases in the last five days. The total number of people in the county who have contracted the illness is 478.

Laois has had 259 patients diagnosed, with only one new case confirmed in the last 8 days.