COVID-19 figures jump by over 200 as seventh person passes away

A seventh person, diagnosed with COVID-19 has passed away, as the figures of confrimed cases rose by over 200 today. 
The patient was a male and in the east of the country, with an underlying health condition, explain the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. There have now been seven COVID-19 related deaths in the Republic.
There were 204 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the republic, as at 1pm this afternoon (Tuesday 24 March), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,329.
To date, 17,992 tests have been carried out in laboratories across the country, as of midnight last night.
Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 22nd March (965 cases), reveals:
that 55% are male and 45% are female, with 44 clusters involving 243 cases; the median age of confirmed cases is 45 years; and of the 277 patients (29%) hospitalised, 36 cases have been admitted to ICU.
The Department of Health has today launched a new COVID-19 Information Dashboard; providing up to date case information – gov.ie/covid19Dashboard
The following recommendations were made by the National Public Health Emergency Team and today adopted by Government: Individuals should work from home unless attendance at the workplace is absolutely essential; non-essential retail outlets are to close to members of the public; essential retail outlets are to implement strict physical distancing measures; all sporting events are cancelled, including those behind closed doors; all playgrounds and holiday/ caravan parks are closed; all organised social indoor or outdoor events of any size are not to take place; all cafes and restaurants are to operate on a take-away or delivery basis; strict physical distancing measures apply to queuing for this service; people should not use public transport unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

Crucial weeks
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “We are now in the crucial weeks of our response to COVID-19. All actions we take are based on epidemiological evidence and in proportion to our experience on this island.
“As we learn more about this disease, we are prioritising who will be tested. If you are not in a priority group, you might not be tested. However, if you have the symptoms, assume you have COVID-19 and isolate yourself.”
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Priority groups for testing include close contacts of a confirmed case with symptoms, healthcare workers with symptoms and people who are vulnerable with symptoms.
“Whether you are tested or not, the advice remains the same; if you have any symptoms, assume you have COVID-19 and isolate yourself for 14 days to help stop the spread of this disease. Household contacts of a suspected case should restrict their contacts for 14 days.”
Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “14,692 samples have been tested at the NVRL, of which 93% returned negative.

Analysis of public health contact tracing has shown that the average number of close contacts per confirmed case has decreased from 20+ to the region of 5 contacts. This shows that the public is following health advise and actively limiting the amount of people they engage with.  
NPHET will meet again on Thursday 26th March, to review Ireland’s ongoing preparedness and response to COVID-19.