Covid-19 Monday: no deaths, 147 new cases

THERE have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today.

There has now been a total of 1,777 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Sunday 23rd August, the HPSC has been notified of 147 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 28,116 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

• 80 are men / 67 are women
• 71% are under 45 years of age
• 60 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
• 14 cases have been identified as community transmission
• 73 in Dublin, 17 in Kildare, 12 in Offaly, 11 in Wicklow, 9 in Limerick and the remaining 25 cases are in Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Laois, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary and Wexford.

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.

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, Department of Health, said: ‘Evidence from the ECDC and international experience to date suggests that children do not commonly transmit COVID-19 to other children or adults in school settings.

‘Internationally, where schools have been reopened, schools have not been a significant driver of community transmission.

‘We all have a role to play in keeping this virus at low levels – this is key to protecting our education system over the coming weeks.’

Dr  Cillian DeGascun, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, said: ‘We know that children can get multiple respiratory tract infections over the winter period and as a result could require repeated swab tests. Therefore, NPHET, HSE and NVRL are continuing to assess alternative testing methods for children.’

Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain, consultant psychiatrist and integrated care lead HSE, said; ‘There will be cases in school aged children just as there have been throughout the pandemic. When these occur, our public health teams will lead the response to limit further transmission- as has been the case in other settings throughout this pandemic.’

Dr Mary Favier, president of the Irish College of General Practitioners, said: ‘Parents should remain vigilant around symptoms and keep their children isolated at home if they are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, flu like symptoms, loss of taste or smell. Parents should also remain aware of asymptomatic transmission – like some adults, children may not present symptoms but can still carry the virus. If you have vulnerable people in your limited network, ensure physical distancing is adhered to and encourage regular hand washing habits with your child.’

• 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. This week’s podcast features an interview with Patrick Murphy, the ceo of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), on the huge crisis facing the industry, with a preview of this week’s paper and music from local singer/songwriter Brian Casey.

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