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Coronavirus: 6 Deaths; 582 New Cases Reported Today

Friday, 18 December 2020 09:28

National news updates on Friday 18th December.

Latest Figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 6 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

There has been a total of 2,149 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 17th December, the HPSC has been notified of 582 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 78,254 * confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

  • 310 are men / 265 are women
  • 60% are under 45 years of age
  • The median age is 38 years old
  • 193 in Dublin, 59 in Wexford, 47 in Louth, 42 in Meath, 34 in Cork and the remaining 207 cases are spread all other remaining counties. 

As of 2pm today 198 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 34 are in ICU. 13 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said: “Over the past week, we have expressed significant concern that the level of infection was deteriorating day on day. The data today adds further evidence that the situation is getting worse more rapidly than we expected.

“The country simply cannot cope with this level of infection as we head into Christmas week. With vaccines offering hope in the coming months for our most vulnerable groups, we want to keep them alive and well so that they can receive it.

“Each one of us must do all we can to protect public health - cut your contacts, see only those you need to see. Choose to socialise safely, outdoors if possible. If you see a crowd, avoid it.

By choosing to act safely right now, together we can limit the impact this disease will have in the weeks and months to come - and in doing so, we can protect the vulnerable and prevent unnecessary deaths.”

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

County

  

Today's cases (to midnight 17Dec2020)

  

14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population (04Dec2020 to 17Dec2020)

  

New Cases during last 14 days (04Dec2020 to 17Dec2020)

  

IRELAND

  

582

  

100.8

  

4,798

  

Donegal

  

14

  

244.4

  

389

  

Louth

  

47

  

222.7

  

287

  

Kilkenny

  

9

  

194.5

  

193

  

Carlow

  

13

  

170.4

  

97

  

Cavan

  

6

  

153.6

  

117

  

Laois

  

10

  

149.9

  

127

  

Longford

  

<5

  

146.8

  

60

  

Monaghan

  

9

  

133.6

  

82

  

Limerick

  

33

  

132.9

  

259

  

Wexford

  

59

  

127.6

  

191

  

Mayo

  

5

  

113.4

  

148

  

Dublin

  

193

  

112.7

  

1,519

  

Meath

  

42

  

91.3

  

178

  

Offaly

  

<5

  

88.5

  

69

  

Waterford

  

11

  

86.9

  

101

  

Kerry

  

33

  

78.5

  

116

  

Kildare

  

27

  

78.2

  

174

  

Wicklow

  

5

  

77.9

  

111

  

Tipperary

  

<5

  

68.3

  

109

  

Sligo

  

11

  

65.6

  

43

  

Galway

  

7

  

46.9

  

121

  

Roscommon

  

<5

  

44.9

  

29

  

Cork

  

34

  

38.5

  

209

  

Westmeath

  

<5

  

34.9

  

31

  

Clare

  

<5

  

25.2

  

30

  

Leitrim

  

0

  

25

  

8

  

The 7 day incidence is 57.8 per 100,000 of population.

The 5 day moving average is 417.

 

Travel:

The Chief Medical Officer says we cannot to afford to celebrate both Christmas and New Years. 

From today people are allowed to travel outside their county and mix with other households until January 6th.

However Dr Tony Holohan says the duration needs to be shortened.  

Hospitality:

The Taoiseach says there's a very strong likelihood that pubs and restaurants will be closed for New Years. 

It follows a recommendation from NPHET, which has also advised that the number of households allowed to mix be reduced after Christmas. 

It's warned that the virus is spreading faster than it anticipated after easing restrictions at the beginning of the month.

The Taoiseach believes it's likely the country will be in "level three plus" in January. 

He says we can't ignore the potential impact celebrating Christmas will have on the virus. 

The Irish Hotels Federation says there will be significant job losses if the new restrictions get the go-ahead.

Only 25 per cent of hotel rooms have been occupied this month, and the sector was hoping for a much-needed boost over the 'Christmas window'.

IHF president Elaina Fitzgerald-Kane says if that's shortened, hotels will face a deeper crisis. 

Northern Ireland:

The North's deputy First Minister says the health service would have 'collapsed' in January if a new lockdown wasn't introduced.

From St Stephen's Day, all non-essential shops will close for six weeks in the North, as well as bars and restaurants, apart from takeaway services. 

Even tougher restrictions will apply for the first week of the lockdown. 

Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill says the Stormont Executive had to take action because hospitals are over-run. 

 

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