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Coronavirus: 506 new cases as HSE says hospitals may start have to start cancelling procedures

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1 additional death related to COVID-19.

There has been a total of 1,817 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Wednesday October 7, the HPSC has been notified of 506 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There is now a total of 40,086 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

  • 240 are men / 265 are women
  • 64% are under 45 years of age
  • 39% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
  • 59 cases have been identified as community transmission
  • 91 in Dublin, 76 in Cork, 53 in Donegal, 42 in Meath and the remaining 244 cases are located across 21 counties.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

HSE outlines problems in hospitals

The CEO of the Health Service Executive has said trends in the spread of Covid-19 “continue to be a strong concern” for the HSE.

Paul Reid was speaking at a HSE briefing, which heard that as of yesterday evening there were 157 people being treated for Covid-19 in hospital, and 27 people in ICU.

He said that the hospital system is “challenged, but not overwhelmed”. He said that some hospitals may have to start deferring or cancelling procedures, and may have to use some of their surge capacity beds.

Mr Reid told today’s briefing that the number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions of cases of Covid-19 cannot be compared to those seen in the early stages of the pandemic. “… Because we were not delivering all non-urgent and non-Covid services, as we are now,” he said.

“Every single hospitalisation that we have to deal with in relation to Covid-19 has a very significant impact on the wider services that we are trying to sustain and provide.”

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

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