Coronavirus: Four More Deaths Confirmed

Latest news updates on Monday 18th May.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 4 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total 1,547 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

In the midlands the Department of health has revised downwards a the total number of cases, which now stands at 1366.

Offaly registered no new cases with a total of 459 people being diagnosed with the illness in the county. 

Laois remains on 253 confirmed cases.

In Westmeath, there's been a decrease in the number of cases. The Department of Health says this can happen as some cases may be reassigned to another county following a review of addresses.

The Lake County has 654 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Statement from the Department of Heath:

We always publish the most up-to-date information available. It is common for figures to be revised upward or down for a number of reasons, including a change to location information. We can confirm that the data currently available on the dashboard is correct.

HPSC colleagues have confirmed with the Department that in validating data and reviewing addresses, cases may be reassigned to another county.

As of 11am Monday 18 May the HPSC has been notified of 88 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 24,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

The HSE is 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, Saturday 16th May (24,036 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 43% are male

the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

3,127 cases (13%) have been hospitalised

Of those hospitalised, 391 cases have been admitted to ICU

7,615 cases are associated with healthcare workers

Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,693 (49% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,367 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,361 cases (5%)

Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 60%, close contact accounts for 37%, travel abroad accounts for 3%

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “On the first day of Ireland moving into Phase One of reopening we have experienced the lowest number of deaths since March 27th. We have suppressed the virus and limited its impact on public health. We need to sustain this in the weeks and phases ahead.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said; “Every death is one too many, but the collective effort to date has saved many lives. We must save more by practicing physical distancing, especially in queues and public spaces, respiratory etiquette and hand washing.”

Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead, said: “Moving into a new phase in Ireland’s response to COVID-19, we now have an opportunity to increase our exercise activity up to 5 kilometres and participate with a friend outside of the household. I would urge anyone who can, to take advantage of this in order to improve mental health and wellbeing.”

CPR:

The public is being warned to only do chest compressions if they need to give someone CPR during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The Government has issued advice to say not to listen for signs of breathing by placing your face near a victim's mouth. 

If someone collapses in a public space, the emergency services should be contacted immediately. 

Government Official Elizabeth Canavan outlines what to do if its suspected the victim may have the coronavirus:

Laois Dual Player Completes Fundraiser For PPE For Local Hospital and NHS https://t.co/ECT0ID8cfM

— Midlands103 (@Midlands103) May 18, 2020

Second wave:

An infectious diseases specialist is warning of the danger of another wave of Covid-19 cases, as the country eases restrictions. 

About 20,000 retail staff and thousands of outdoor workers are returning to work today.

It comes as the number of cases reported in Ireland yesterday reached its lowest since mid-March.

But Professor Jack Lambert is urging people to be cautious as phase one of the roadmap begins:

Gardaí RPU from Westmeath on #Covid19 patrol stopped the driver of this car, driver had No Insurance/ Licence . Car seized & proceedings to follow.#WashYourHands#SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/iYRItvT36n

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) May 18, 2020

Dail:

An infectious diseases specialist is warning of the danger of another wave of Covid-19 cases, as the country eases restrictions. 

About 20,000 retail staff and thousands of outdoor workers are returning to work today.

It comes as the number of cases reported in Ireland yesterday reached its lowest since mid-March.

But Professor Jack Lambert is urging people to be cautious as phase one of the roadmap begins:

                                            People waiting to get into Woodies in Tullamore this morning. 

Testing:

Close contacts of people with Covid-19 will be tested for the virus even if they don't have symptoms from today.

The Irish College of General Practitioners says it was informed of the changes to the contact tracing process by the HSE yesterday.

It means a patient's close contacts will be tested for the virus on Day 1 and Day 7, whether or not they have symptoms.

Dublin GP Dr Maitiu O'Toole says it's a welcome move:

Global figures:

More than 4.7 million people across the world have been diagnosed with Covid-19. 

The total number of deaths have risen to over 315,000. 

There are nearly 1.5 million cases in the US, along with nearly 90,000 deaths. 

Ryanair:

More than 4.7 million people across the world have been diagnosed with Covid-19. 

The total number of deaths have risen to over 315,000. 

There are nearly 1.5 million cases in the US, along with nearly 90,000 deaths. 

Dail:

The Dáil's Covid-19 response committee says it will be guided by public health advice when holding all of its hearings. 

Senior health officials Tony Holohan, Paul Reid and Jim Breslin are due to appear for two hours each tomorrow. 

Former HSE boss Tony O'Brien says they're in danger of getting Covid-19 as a result and wants the format changed. 

Committee chairman Michael McNamara says witnesses' concerns will be taken into account:

Enterprise study:

Almost one in four enterprises temporarily ceased trading for a period due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The latest figures from the CSO show that 76 per cent continued to operate.

It comes as some businesses prepare to reopen today as part of phase one of the the rebooting of the economy.

The survey of  3,000 business  from March 16th to April 19 found that 23.3% had ceased trading temporarily with just 0.6% shutting up shop for good due to the crisis.  

The industrial sector reported the largest percentage of enterprises continuing to trade at 82.3% while seven in ten construction had ceased trading temporarily or permanently for the period.

The study showed that one in five in the Services sector had stopped trading either temporarily or permanently. but that figure rises to 88.1% in the accommodation and Food Service sector

Over two-thirds (69.0%) of responding enterprises indicated that they implemented remote working over the five-week period

The study also found that 84.1%  of large enterprises were confident  they had the financial resources to continue operating compared to 71.0%. for small and medium enterprises

Still attend GPs:

The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has urged people to isolate at home and call their GP even for mild cold or flu-like symptoms. 

Siobhán McArdle, the HSE's primary care operations lead, says community testing hubs swabbed four thousand people a day last week - but could be doing over twice that:

Re-opening:

Phase one of the roadmap to easing Ireland's Covid-19 restrictions gets under way today. 

Hardware stores, garden centres, electrical, IT and phone sales outlets will all reopen.  

The number of new cases of Covid-19 reported yesterday was below 100 for the second day in a row. 

Ten more patients have died and 64 more positive tests have been confirmed, the lowest levels since mid-March. 

HSE clinical lead Colm Henry says health authorities have to proceed with extreme caution:

Local figures: 

10 more people with the coronavirus have died and there are just 64 new cases in the Republic.

The National Public Health Emergency Team says the death toll has reached 1,543 and there are a total number of 24,112 positive tests.

As of midnight on Friday, 7,566 cases are associated with healthcare workers.

Four new cases have been confirmed in Offaly. The total now stands at 459.

Westmeath has only one new case. 655 people in the county have tested positive for the illness. 

Meanwhile, Laois' total has increased by two to 253.