Confirmed Coronavirus cases in Ireland pass 6,500 mark

Twenty-eight more people have lost their lives today due to Coronavirus. The latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) who that there were 500 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland as of 1pm today (Thursday), April 9.
In confirming the latest figures, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “The virus is still sustaining itself in our community. If we do not stay at home and practice physical distancing then we are not stopping the spread. 
“It is crucial that each one of us take seriously the risks this virus poses, follows the guidelines and limit the opportunity for this virus to spread. 
“We must follow the public health advice as closely as we possibly can so that we can limit the spread of the virus. 
"Stay at home, practice physical distancing, practice hand hygiene, protect each other." 

County breakdowns
Today’s figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 6,574, including 263 patients who have lost their lives.
The latest county by county breakdown available is dated April 7. It shows 132 positive cases in Cavan and 63 in Monaghan.
Today’s reported deaths show 22 victims were in the east of the country and two each in the north west, south and west of Ireland.
The breakdown also shows that 15 were females and 13 males. The median age of today’s reported deaths is 84 years and 19 people were reported as having underlying health conditions. 
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. 
Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Tuesday 7 April (6,444 cases), reveals: 
·        45% are male and 53% are female, with 317 clusters involving 1,391 cases 
·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years 
·        1,521cases (24%) have been hospitalised 
·        Of those hospitalised, 230 cases have been admitted to ICU 
·        1,765 cases are associated with healthcare workers 
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 3557, (55% of all cases) followed by Cork with 472 cases (7%) 
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 66%, close contact accounts for 24%, travel abroad accounts for 9% 
The National Public Health Emergency Team’s modelling data has revealed that Ireland’s effort to date has greatly reduced the transmission of the virus. 
·        The growth rate has reduced from 33% daily in the early weeks of this outbreak, to 9% this week. 
·        The number of people, on average, that someone with COVID 19 is likely to infect was high at the beginning of the outbreak at 4.5. We now see this ‘R’ (reproduction) number reduced very significantly. 
Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG) said; “When an R number increases by even a fraction above one, the number of new cases per day will rise, slowly but inexorably. 
“We are at a very delicate and critical point in our response to this pandemic.” 
Dr Colm Henry, chief clinical officer, HSE said; “I would like to acknowledge the enormous efforts of healthcare workers caring for patients in hospitals and the community. The best way people can show support for them is by staying at home and observing the guidelines. This keeps everyone safe.”