Covid-19 Friday: 16 more deaths, 129 new cases

A further 16 deaths from Covid-19 have been confirmed this evening, May 15th, bringing the total in the Republic of Ireland to 1,518 to date.

Another 129 new cases of the disease were reported at the daily briefing, which brings the total recorded in the country so far to 23,956. Cork has the third-highest number of cases, 1,256, which is 5% of the total.

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

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Wednesday 13^th May (23,627 cases), reveals:

·        57% are female and 42% are male

·        the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

·        3,062 cases (13%) have been hospitalised

·        Of those hospitalised, 387 cases have been admitted to ICU

·        7,427 cases are associated with healthcare workers

·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,557 (49% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,352 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,256 cases (5%)

·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 60%, close contact accounts for 37%, travel abroad accounts for 3%.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Earlier today, Government announced Phase 1 of the COVID-19 Roadmap will commence from Monday 18^th May.

“As we ease restrictions that were implemented in recent weeks, the core message remains the same, ‘stay at home’ where possible and follow public health behaviours to limit the spread; hand washing, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing.

“I urge everyone to remember how easily this virus can spread, how quickly we could lose the progress that the country has worked so hard to achieve.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said; “Over a very short time period we have witnessed a whole of society effort to stop this virus in its tracks. Across Government, our health, social care and emergency services, Gardaí and Defence Forces, businesses and the non-profit sector, media and general public at large, it has been heartening to witness such collective action.”

Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead, said: “These past weeks have been particularly difficult for those who have been cocooning from family, friends and society. Today, I hope new measures will bring some relief to this group and that they know we as a society are supporting them wherever possible, including by adopting safe behaviours in physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.”

The Department of Health’s COVID-19 Information Dashboard (click here) provides the latest case information.

• To watch or listen to the Southern Star Coronavirus Podcast, please search Coronavirus Podcast at the top of this page or see the Southern Star on YouTube.
• You can subscribe to the Southern Star Coronavirus podcast which is available on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts.