We have achieved our goal of suppressing the spread of the disease - Holohan

Twenty-nine more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

It brings to 1,403* the number of confirmed Coronavirus related deaths in Ireland to date.

The figures are up to date as of 11am today (Thursday), May 7. The HPSC has also been notified of 137 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings to 22,385 the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland so far.

The latest date for which county by county cases are available is May 5. They show that there were 710 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in County Cavan to date and 441 positive tests in neighbouring County Monaghan.

Cases are classified based on a patient’s county of residence.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Tuesday 5 May (22,186 cases), reveals:

·        57% are female and 43% are male

·        the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years

·        2,891 cases (13%) have been hospitalised

·        Of those hospitalised, 376 cases have been admitted to ICU

·        6,498 cases are associated with healthcare workers

·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 10,840 (49% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,302 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,197 cases (5%)

·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 62%, close contact accounts for 35%, travel abroad accounts for 3%

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “The reproduction number is between 0.5 -0.6. We have achieved our goal of suppressing the spread of the disease, it was not easy for anyone but there is no question that our collective effort has saved lives.

“Now we look to the pattern of COVID-19 going forward, as we attempt to ease restrictions. These weeks are just as important as the first weeks of our response. Our behaviours are crucial in maintaining our progress and keeping the reproduction number below one.”

Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; “The number of ICU admissions, new cases and deaths is now falling and has been for over a week. This is driven by a reduction of transmission of the virus in the community and reinforces the importance of our behaviours going forward.”