The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 5 additional deaths related to COVID-19.
There has been a total of 1,821 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight Thursday 8th October the HPSC has been notified of 617 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 40,703 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
Of the cases notified today;
- 310 are men / 307 are women
- 73% are under 45 years of age
- 33% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
- 72 cases have been identified as community transmission
- 123 in Dublin, 107 in Cork, 42 in Meath, 36 in Kerry, 35 in Galway and the remaining 274 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.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “The profile of the disease continues to deteriorate.
“There have been an additional 32 hospitalisations and 8 ICU admissions in the past 24 hours. We are continuing to see a high number of daily cases.
“It is vital that we interrupt the transmission of the virus now.
“NPHET continues to monitor the situation however it is early, individual action that is needed to suppress the virus. Please follow public health advice and do your part to make an impact on the disease.”
Department of Education on school closures
The Department of Health says that ‘no decision’ has been made on the possibility of extending the mid-term break.
All schools are set to be closed from Monday October 26 until Friday October 30 for the Halloween break.
However, speculation mounted today, suggesting the schools may be instructed to close for an additional week in a bid to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
But a spokesperson for the Department of Education said that a decision on this has not been made yet.
A spokesperson said: “No decision has been taken to extend schools’ mid-term breaks.
“To date the evidence demonstrates that schools have reopened safely supported by significant investment to support all infection prevention and control measures recommended by the public health authorities.
“Keeping schools safely open for children and staff is a key priority at all levels of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19.
“At levels 1-4 inclusive, schools can remain open with protective measures, and at level 5, recommendations will be based on the situation and evidence at the time.”
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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