Coronavirus: Dept. Of Health Confirms Two More Deaths

Latest news updates for Sunday 31st May 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 2 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total 1,652* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Saturday, 30 May the HPSC has been notified of 66 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 24,990 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Two people have tested positive in the midlands. 

Westmeath has had 668 people diagnosed with the illness. One new case was confirmed today. 

Offaly for the fourth day in a row there has been no further cases, the total remains 478.

Laois has one new case bringing its total to 259. It is the first case to be reported in the O Moore county in seven days.  

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, Friday 29 May (24,924 cases), reveals:

· 57% are female and 43% are male

· The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

· 3,283 cases (13%) have been hospitalised

· Of those hospitalised, 408 cases have been admitted to ICU

· 7,963 cases are associated with healthcare workers

· Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,042 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,477 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,416 cases (6%)

· Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 39%, close contact accounts for 58%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Restrictions:

A leading public health expert has urged the government to take a cautious approach in lifting coronavirus restrictions.

According to reports, an acceleration of easing lockdown measures is being considered.

The travel limit is expected to be extended to 20 kilometres on June 8th, but could be scrapped earlier than planned at the end of next month.

Public health expert Dr Gabriel Scally has warned against a "rush" to re-open the country.

He thinks the current roadmap is a good one - but says there is an alternative approach.

UK:

Another 113 people have died from coronavirus in the UK.

It takes the total to 38,489.

The British government says Britain's reached the 200,000 capacity target to test people for Covid-19.

But it doesn't mean that amount has been tested in one day yet.

ICU:

There are currently 36 patients in intensive care units with Covid-19.

That's a reduction of 6 people on yesterday's figure of 42.

It's also sharp drop on a peak of 160 early last month.

Airport:

The government's considering using rapid Covid 19 tests for tourists arriving at Irish airports to try and boost the sector.

The Sunday Times reports the measure could be used as an alternative to the current advice for 14 days of self-isolation.

Junior Minister Brendan Griffin says the idea's being explored and that it could be an "all round win" if it reassures potential tourists.

Countries like Austria and Greece already use airport testing to screen visitors for Covid 19.

Restrictions:

Limits on how far people can travel from their homes could be scrapped ahead of schedule.

It's due to be extended from 5 kilometres to 20 kilometres if restrictions are eased again on June 8th.

The limit may only stay in place until June 29th - and could be dropped heading into phase 3.

The Sunday Independent reports museums, galleries and hairdressers could also be allowed to re-open early.

Professor Mary Horgan, consultant in infectious diseases at Cork University Hospital, says the travel restriction has served a purpose:

Monkeys:

A gang of monkeys has grabbed and fled with a batch of Covid-19-infected blood samples from a lab technician in India.

It's prompted fears the animals could carry them into residential areas near the university where he was working.

The virus is thought to have jumped from animals to people last year, but experts don't know if the monkeys could catch it.

Prince:

A Belgian prince has tested positive for Covid-19 after going to a party in Spain.

Spanish police are investigating whether the gathering on Tuesday in Cordoba broke lockdown rules by having too many people.

Prince Joachim (wack-EEM) - a nephew of Belgium's King - and 26 others who were there are now self-isolating.

Fianna Fail:

The Fianna Fail leader says one of the first task of a new government will be to accelerate the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Micheál Martin's targetting the five and 20 kilometre travel restrictions, as well as easing restrictions around childcare and education for children with special needs.

He also says he's confident he can get his party to agree to a coalition government with Fine Gael and the Greens.

It's expected talks between the parties will be concluded this week, with negotiations continuing this bank holiday weekend

Local figures:

Another nine people infected with coronavirus have died.

The latest data on the covid-19 pandemic has been released by the National Public Health Emergency Team.

The number of deaths associated with the covid-19 pandemic has risen to 1,651.

Officials at the Dept of Health have been informed of nine more deaths.

A further 59 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

There are no new confirmed cases in the midlands.

Westmeath has had 667 people diagnosed with the illness. 

Offaly for the third day in a row there has been no further cases, the total remains 478.

Laois is now six days without a case, 258 people have contracted Covid-19 there. 

24,929 people in the Republic are now known to have been infected.

There was one more death in the North, and 13 more positive tests.

The number of deaths reported has stayed below ten a day for the last week, apart from Wednesday, when there were seventeen.