There have been no new Coronavirus deaths reported today – meaning 1,777 is the death toll in Ireland.
While there has been a total of 92 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
31 of the cases are in Tipperary, 17 in Dublin, 7 in Clare, 7 in Wexford, 5 in Kildare and the remaining 25 cases are in Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Wicklow.
None are in Laois.
There is now a total of 28,201 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Carlow school come under fire
St Leo’s College in Carlow has come under fire for holding an assembly for 152 First Year students as it opened today.
All of the girls were placed in the one room – albeit that the tables they were sitting at were one metre apart.
The Vice President of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has said the organisation is “not in favour of big gatherings” in any part of schools.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Ann Piggott said it is “unwise, and ill-advised” to hold large assemblies in schools.
She suggested that pupils be divided into smaller groups, with which messages can be shared or prayers services held.
“We must remember what is happening in the community. We are being told no more than 15 people can gather outside and six inside. It would be better if assemblies happened in small numbers, not in large gatherings.”
The principal of St Leo’s College in Carlow told RTE News that she does not believe the school has been in contravention of Government guidelines by gathering 152 students in a hall.
Principal Niamh Broderick said: “We have followed all of the Department guidelines. We did everything properly and safely,” Ms Broderick told RTÉ News. “They were very well spaced out and sanitised on the way in and on the way out”.
“It was very important to bring them together as a year group and all receive the same message, to celebrate with them, as a Catholic school, to emphasise that message to them.”
St Leo’s in Carlow reopens this morning for 152 First Year girls with a prayer service. “We are all in this together” principal Niamh Broderick tells students. pic.twitter.com/VjneUrqpzH
— emma o kelly (@emma_okelly) August 25, 2020
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for getting COVID-19:
- Distance – the risk of getting COVID-19 increases as the distance between you and others gets smaller. Keep 2 metres apart where possible
- Activity – How you spend time with people and what you do with them can increase your risk. Follow the government’s Stay Safe Guidelines when spending time with others
- Time – The more time you spend in close contact with other people can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Keep track of who you spend time with and how
- Environment – Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. Where possible, meet with others outdoors. If this is not possible, keep windows and doors open when meeting others inside
- Symptoms – Know the symptoms. If you have them self-isolate and contact your GP immediately
Public Health Advice for all citizens available here:
Know the symptoms of COVID-19
- a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- flu like symptoms
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