Confirmed Coronavirus cases exceed 10,000 mark

Thirty-one more people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died today. It brings to 365 the number of Coronavirus victims in the country to date.
As of April 11, the latest date for which county by county breakdowns are available, there were 222 confirmed Coronavirus cases in County Cavan and 95 in County Monaghan.
The latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show that there are now a total of 10,647 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, when a backlog of test results from Germany are taken into account.
Of the latest fatalities, 26 victims were located in the east of the country, three in the north west, one in the south and one in the west of Ireland.
The deaths included 18 females and 13 males; the median aged of today’s reported deaths is 82 years; while 25 of those who died had underlying health conditions. 
As of 11.15am today (Monday), April 13, the HPSC has been notified of the following cases:
·        An additional 527 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by Irish laboratories 
·        An additional 465 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by a laboratory in Germany 
The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. 

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that the percentage of the population who feel we are experiencing the worst of the pandemic right now has risen strongly from 11% on March 16 to 37% today, though 55% feel the worst is still ahead of us. 
The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, which is conducted twice weekly, reveals: 
·        The percentage of people behaving safely continues to rise for behaviours such as washing hands (94%) and using sanitizer (81%), but has fallen for sitting apart from others (59%) possibly reflecting more time spent at home 
·        The vast majority are staying at home rather than going out: up from 78% on 16 March to 90% currently 
·        While a significant proportion of the population reported feelings of worry (43%) and anxiety (38%), a similar proportion reported feelings of enjoyment (46%) and happiness (36%) in today’s survey.   

Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, Department of Health, said; “Today marks a milestone in Ireland’s experience of COVID-19 as we see the number of confirmed cases exceed 10,000. 
“The number of community cases of COVID-19 shows why we continue to need the public health measures that we currently have in place. I understand that the current restrictions are tough, especially during a bank holiday weekend when in normal circumstances most of us would have met up with family and friends but I ask that the public continue to work with us and follow the guidelines that are in place. 
“The next three weeks will prove crucial to Ireland’s COVID-19 story and by working together we give ourselves the best chance to slow the spread and save lives.”