Covid-19 Friday, 4 deaths, 98 new cases

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 4 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died.

There has now been a total of 1,772 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 6^th August, the HPSC has been notified of 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 26,470 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

• 57 are men / 38 are women
• 68% are under 45 years of age
• 67 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
• 4 cases have been identified as community transmission
• 35 cases are located in Kildare, 26 in Offaly, 6 in Wexford, 5 in Laois, 5 in Dublin, and 21 are spread across ten other counties (Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath and Wicklow).

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

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

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: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/cf9b0d-new-public-health-measures-effective-now-to-prevent-further-spread-o/

 Know the symptoms of COVID-19

They are:

• a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
• a cough- this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• shortness of breathor breathing difficulties
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• flu like symptoms

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