Latest Coronavirus figures show 31 confirmed cases in County Cavan

Seventeen patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died today; while 325 new cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed.
The number of confirmed cases in County Cavan took another jump from 24 yesterday (Monday) to 31 as of 1pm today (Tuesday); the number of positive cases in Monaghan, meanwhile, is now 13.

The latest Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) figures show there are now 3,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland; while the death toll stands at 71 patients.
The latest death recorded were – eight patients in the east and three each in the south, north-west and west of the country. The victims were four females and 13 males; eight were reported as having underlying health conditions.
The median age of today’s reported deaths is 84 years.
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. 
As of midnight, on Monday, March 30, 30,213 tests have been carried out in laboratories across the country. 
Over the past week, the positivity rate for tests carried out increased from six per cent to 15%, as per the objective of new, stricter case definition. 
Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 29th March (2,677 cases), reveals: 
•    49% are male and 49% are female, with 118 clusters involving 494 cases 
•    22% of clusters located in private houses, 20% located in nursing homes and 18% located in hospitals 
•    Median age of confirmed cases is 47 years 
•    703 cases (26%) have been hospitalised 
•    Of those hospitalised, 113 cases have been admitted to ICU 
•    647 cases are associated with healthcare workers 
•    Dublin has the highest number of cases at 1,487 (55% of all cases) followed by Cork with 238 cases (9%) 
•    Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 51%, close contact accounts for 26%, travel abroad accounts for 23% 
The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Tuesday), March 31, and made the following recommendations; 
•    To focus contact tracing on suspect cases within prioritised groups. The HPSC to update guidance to GPs and contact tracing teams. 
•    Contact tracing to encompass the period from 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms given the risk of asymptomatic transmission. 
•    In response to infections in long term residential care (nursing homes, disability and mental health) and homecare settings NPHET will work with the HSE to identify a number of measures which can be taken to strengthen support to staff and providers of nursing home care.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, Department of Health, said; “The measures that we have recommended today should significantly enhance the preparedness and response to cases and outbreaks in nursing homes and other residential settings. 
“As we have said from the beginning our efforts must be focused on protecting the most vulnerable to COVID-19 and these recommendations announced today seek to achieve this.”