Coronavirus: Over 500 New Cases Confirmed

News updates for Saturday 19th December 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 5 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

There has been a total of 2,154 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Friday 18th December, the HPSC has been notified of 527 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 78,776* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

• 271 are men / 255 are women
• 65% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 37 years old
• 191 in Dublin, 54 in Cork, 44 in Donegal, 32 in Wexford, 27 in Kilkenny, and the remaining 179 cases are spread across 20 other counties. 

11 of the new cases are in Laois, with both Offaly and Westmeath reporting less than five new positive tests.

As of 2pm today 207 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 28 are in ICU. 12 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. 

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, the Department of Health said: ““The figures we are seeing across all key indicators of disease severity continue to give us strong reason for persistent, ongoing concern. As we head into a week with uniquely risky inter-household and inter-generational mixing, please remember to act responsibly. Start this weekend. It is never too late to cut down your contacts, cancel plans, or avoid a crowd.”

“Bear in mind that you may well be the link in a chain of transmission that ends with a vulnerable loved one catching this dangerous disease. Stop that chain of transmission now – limit your movements today.

*Validation of data at the HPSC led to the denotification of 5 cases. The figure of 78,776 cases reflects this.

Today’s cases, 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and new cases in last 14 days (as of midnight 18 December 2020) (incidence rate based on Census 2016 county population)

The 7 day incidence rate is 63.7.

The 5 day moving average is 469.

Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland's political leaders say a six week lockdown from December 26th is "draconian" - but necessary.

Non-essential retail will close - while pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues will be limited to takeaway only.

Irish paramedics are heading across the border this weekend to help their northern Ireland colleagues.

It comes as the north's health service comes under severe pressure, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed help will be provided, but says services here will not be affected.

Queues of ambulances could be seen this week, lined up at accident and emergency departments across Northern Ireland, as patients were treated in car parks due to a lack of capacity inside.

The HSE says the republic's National Ambulance Service was contacted by their counterparts in Northern Ireland for assistance and several volunteer teams responded, agreeing to help in areas of Belfast, Craigavon and Lisburn across the weekend.

They say the support will not impact in any way on the National Ambulance Service's normal operations HERE.

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service says it's very grateful for the dig out.

Chief executive Michael Bloomfield, says the move is 'relatively unusual' and reflects the pressure they're under.

Restrictions:

The country's Chief Medical Officer says the covid situation is getting worse more rapidly than expected.

Dr Tony Holohon's urging people to cut their contacts after 582 new cases were confirmed and 6 more deaths.

He says the country cannot cope with this level of infection as we head into Christmas week.

DCU Professor Anthony Staines says NPHET is right to re-impose restrictions before the New Year:

Meanwhile, business leaders say they're worried and frustrated about suggestions of a pre-New Year lockdown.

ISME Chief Executive Neil McDonnell says lockdown is very effective at flattening the curve with a hammer, but it flattens small business as well:

The pub trade is also hitting out at NPHET's recommendation to shut pubs that serve food and restaurants from December 28th.

The Government is likely to accept that and bring in the ban on leaving your county again before the New Year.

Licenced Vintners' Association Chief Executive, Donal O'Keefe says the ongoing lockdowns are devastating for pubs:

Local figures:

6 additional deaths and 582 new cases of Covid 19 have been reported.

193 of the cases are in Dublin, 59 in Wexford, 47 in Louth, 42 in Meath, 34 in Cork. 

In the midlands, Laois had 10 new cases with both Offaly and Westmeath having less than 5. 

127 cases have been reported in the O'Moore county between December 4th and 17th. 

It has the six highest incidence rate in the country at 149. 

While, Westmeath has one of the lowest at 34. It's just ahead of Leitrim and Clare (both with a rate of 25). 

Offaly has had 69 cases confirmed between December 4th and 17th, while there were 34 in the Lake county during the same period. 

The Faithful county has a incidence rate of 88.

Nationally, the 14 day incidence rate per 100,000 is now 100.8.

198 COVID patients are in hospital, 34 of whom are in ICU.