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Coronavirus: No New Deaths; 50 New Cases Confirmed In Ireland

Wednesday, 5 August 2020 07:41

National news on Wednesday 5th August.

Latest Figures:

There have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today.

There has now been a total of 1,763 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Tuesday 4th August, the HPSC has been notified of 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 26,303 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

None of those are in the midlands. 

Of the cases notified today;

  • 31 are men / 19 are women
  • 81% are under 45 years of age
  • 42 are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
  • 4 cases have been identified as community transmission
  • 11 cases are located in Wexford, 10 in Kildare, 6 in Dublin, 5 in Donegal, and 18 are spread across nine other counties (Carlow, Cork, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Sligo, Tipperary and Wicklow).

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; “I know the decision yesterday not to move to Phase 4 will have been disappointing for many. However, NPHET’s priority must be to control the spread of this virus in our communities and to protect the progress that we have achieved to date.

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus and we have seen a significant increase in its spread across multiple counties over recent days. We are monitoring this very closely.

Our focus over the coming weeks will be on continuing every effort to slow the spread of the virus so that our schools can reopen, our healthcare services resume, and our nursing homes are protected

“I would also like to emphasise again the importance of continuing to practice safe behaviours such as physical distancing, washing our hands regularly, wearing a face covering where appropriate, avoiding crowds and downloading the COVID-19 Tracker app. Doing these things makes a real difference when it comes to controlling the spread of this virus.”

 

Pubs:

A financial support package for pubs which still can't open is being considered by the government. 

Several Ministers are working on a scheme for businesses which remain shut due to Phase 4 of lifting Covid-19 restrictions being delayed by three weeks. 

Pubs won't reopen until at least August 31st, following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, which is concerned it would lead to an increase in community transmission of the virus. 

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar says it's too early to say what the extra supports for pubs will be: 

The Government has been accused of being paralysed by fear when it comes to making a decision about the reopening of pubs.

It's after phase four was delayed for a second time, until August 31st at the earliest.

A financial support package for pubs that are being forced to stay closed is being considered. 

Padraig Cribben CEO of the Vintners Federation says the Government has abandoned these pubs. 

Youth campaign:

Younger people are to be targeted with specific Covid-19 messages directed at them. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended more communication with younger people about the virus, due to the number of recent cases in people under 45 years old.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn says more needs to be done to get the message home to younger people: 

Delaying Phase Four:

Minister Eamonn Ryan says the spike in Covid-19 cases recently shows it was the correct decision to delay Phase Four.

Latest figures show 45 new cases, 14 people are in hospital and 5 are receiving intensive care.

No new deaths were reported yesterday, and the death toll stands at 1,763.

The Green Party leader says Cabinet don't want a second surge, as has been happening in other nations:

Local figures:

14 cases has been confirmed in the midlands.

The number of cases in Laois has risen by 8 bringing the total to 313.

Offaly has had five new cases confirmed. 497 people in the faithful county has tested positive for the illness.

Westmeath has increased by 1, its total now stands at 681.

All statistics measured at midnight on Sunday 2 August.

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