HSE Chief "Very Concerned" At Rise In Covid Hospitalisations

Tuesday, 22 September 2020 at 06:57

One midlands hospital has six confirmed cases of the virus.

There has been a fourfold increase in the numbers hospitalised with Covid-19 in the past month, while the numbers in ICU has more than doubled.

The head of the HSE, Paul Reid, says the figures showing 90 people now in hospital and 19 in ICU is a "very concerning trend".

There are currently 10 confirmed cases in midlands hospitals - six in Tullamore, and two each in Mullingar and Portlaoise - along with three suspected cases in Mullingar.

Another 188 cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday, including 25 in Cork, 21 in Donegal and 16 in Kildare.

According to a new Department of Health survey, 52 per cent of the population are in favour of more restrictions being introduced.

And Trinity College immunology professor, Mullingar's Kingston Mills says more counties are in danger of a lockdown like Dublin's:

Tonight there are 90 people hospitalised,19 in ICU (23 & 8, 4 weeks ago).This is a very concerning trend.Please ignore noises that relay otherwise.We all have to protect our family, friends & health workers from being the next number. Please let's do it. We can #COVID19 @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) September 21, 2020