A total of 331 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
This is an increase on the 4,273 cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 4,604.
While now 137 people have died from the disease – an increase of 17 from yesterday.
15 of the deaths are located in the east, 1 in the south, 1 in the west of the country. The patients included 4 females and 13 males.
13 patients were reported as having underlying health conditions. Median age of today’s reported deaths is 77.
While in Laois, as of April 2, there are now 21 cases. An increase of five from the most recent figures.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “This week, the National Public Health Emergency Team made a range of recommendations to support the response in nursing homes and long-term residential facilities to COVID-19. This remains a priority for our focused attention and we will continue to monitor the rate of infection within these environments and support the sector through this outbreak.
“The nationwide, collective effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 has been inspiring. We must keep up this effort, continue to protect the vulnerable in our society and ultimately flatten the curve.”
People have been asking for the stats on recovered patients but as yet, the HSE have not released these.
However, a website giving stats on worldwide figures of Coronavirus, says that 25 people have recovered in Ireland.
Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Thursday 2nd April 2020 (4,014 cases), reveals:
- 48% are male and 52% are female, with 206 clusters involving 838 cases
- Median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
- 1,118 cases (28%) have been hospitalised
- Of those hospitalised, 158 cases have been admitted to ICU
- 1,084 cases (27%) are associated with healthcare workers
- Dublin has the highest number of cases at 2,251 (56% of all cases) followed by Cork with 304 cases (8%)
- Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 62%, close contact accounts for 24%, travel abroad accounts for 14%
Links to today’s other Coronavirus stories
Studying during Coronavirus: Portlaoise College student on prepping for state exams in a pandemic
Portaoise Hospital ICU nurse calls on people to start wearing masks in public
Gerry Browne Jewellers – online service continues
Laois primary schools doing all they can to help parents and students during Coronavirus pandemic
WATCH: Laois school produce uplifting video for their students
Northern Ireland, the UK and globally
Eight more people have died in Northern Ireland bringing the total number of Coronavirus related deaths there to 56.
The Northern Ireland Public Health Agency has confirmed there have been 94 new cases, with 998 cases in total. To date 8,034 people have been tested, up 509 since yesterday.
In the UK, there were 708 people who died from Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the death toll to 4,313. There are almost 42,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus there.
Official figures for Europe suggest unprecedented measures to restrict people’s movements are working and that the peak may have hit on the continent.
Spain, under a near-total lockdown, has recorded a second successive daily fall in Coronavirus-related deaths with 809 fatalities to take them to 11,744 overall.
The number of new Spanish cases also slowed at 7,026, taking the total to 124,736.
Italy reported late yesterday that the daily rise of officially registered infections dropped to a new low of just 4%, while the number of people who had fully recovered was rising – although 14,681 people have died.
There are now more than 1,162,000 cases globally with at least one in almost every country on the planet. Almost 63,000 people have died. While 241,000 have recovered.
Social distancing starting to work
The number of people that a person with Covid-19 is infecting in Ireland is reducing. The “RE” number, or the reproductive rate of the virus, refers to how many other people a confirmed case goes on to infect, and it is closely monitored by health officials.
On March 16, a person infected with Covid-19 here would “likely” infect another 4.3 people.
The number of “close contacts” recorded for people with the virus has now reduced to 3, down from around 20 a few weeks ago.
Simon Harris said that this is “real progress”, but said that we need to get this number below 1. He said if we can reduce this figure to below 1, it means the “virus doesn’t sustain itself in the community”.
Minister for Health announces enhanced measures to support nursing home residents
Minister for Health Simon Harris has today announced further measures to support nursing homes residents in the context of the overarching response to COVID-19.
Earlier this week the National Public Health Emergency Team recommended additional measures required to further support nursing home residents. A range of enhanced measures were recommended to assist residents and staff in nursing homes.
Staff screening will start in nursing homes twice a day, COVID-19 testing will be prioritised for staff and the HSE will provide access to PPE, expert advice and training. Importantly each nursing home will be identifying a COVID-19 lead.
Staff movement across residential facilities will be minimised and the HSE will support staff with alternative accommodation and transport, if required.
In addition to these measures, a temporary COVID-19 Financial Support Scheme is being introduced by Government and will be established in the coming days, to support the critical services provided by nursing homes.
The Scheme will provide a temporary assistance payment to support private and voluntary nursing homes in managing any outbreak that occurs. It is envisaged that the scheme will operate for a 3 month period. It will be reviewed after the first month’s operation.
Coronavirus Myths
As yet, there is no cure currently for COVID-19.
So people suggesting/selling special remedies like vitamin C, garlic, home cures, drinking bleach, or putting half an onion in rooms around the house are – well you know don’t you?
The World Health Organisation has advice on some of these urban legends.
Cuisle Centre
The Coronavirus outbreak has led to the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise closing.
They said: “The Covid-19 restrictions mean that we have had to temporarily close our doors, but we are still here to support you and your family.
“As we know this is a confusing time for our patients as chemotherapy and surgery are been rescheduled – we will be continuing to give you support and guidance over the phone.
“Just call 0578681492 and leave your name, number and a brief message and we will get back to you. You can also contact us on email: info@cuislecancersupportcentre.ie or messenger us through facebook.
“Stay safe everyone, wash your hands and take a little exercise.”
Important information
Symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties.
Further resources:
- The HSE: Official advice on the coronavirus in Ireland. This is being updated based on the number of confirmed cases and how the virus spreads in Ireland.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs: Official advice on where to avoid travelling to. Also a resource for those who are abroad.
- The World Health Organization (WHO): The UN agency on global public health publishes statements and daily situation reports based on the latest data.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency on the number of cases, deaths and how it’s spreading in Europe.
- The Johns Hopkins University map: A heat map of the confirmed cases across the world.
A helpline for older people who are concerned about the coronavirus has been launched by Alone. The number is 0818 222 024, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.
SEE ALSO – For more Coronavirus stories click here
