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HEALTH CHIEFS HAVE confirmed a further 219 new cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total number of cases here to 1,125.
Two more deaths were also confirmed, meaning six people have died from Covid-19 here. Both patients were male and in the east of the country.
At a press conference at the Department of Health in Dublin this evening, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) had not been informed of any underlying health conditions in these cases.
He said the six deaths do not include any healthcare workers, to his knowledge.
The figures are correct as of 1pm today.
The HSE is now 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 Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), as of midnight, Saturday 21 March (836 cases), shows the following:
New research
Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that more than 93% of the population are washing their hands more often as a result of coronavirus.
The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, and will be conducted twice weekly, reveals the following:
If you are experiencing symptoms, such as fever and cough, the advice is to self-isolate and call your GP who will guide you.
Speaking this morning, Health Minister Simon Harris said new cases of Covid-19 have “fewer close contacts” than before which shows people are making an effort in social distancing
As of yesterday, about 40,000 in Ireland were waiting to have a Covid-19 test. Most people have to wait four to five days for testing but some are waiting longer.
Holohan said testing is being ramped up this week to get through the backlog but that there is a huge demand. “We are on the way to increasing that capacity substantially,” Holohan said.
He was unable to confirm how long a sample lasts on a swab after the test is carried out. He said the advice for people who are waiting for tests remains the same, regardless of when the test is done or if it needs to be redone – to self-isolate per the HSE guidelines.
Saving lives
Speaking this evening via a livestream on Twitter, Health Minister Simon Harris said that while most people are practising social distancing, “we do need to do better, particularly in outdoor spaces and also in certain workplace where social distancing is not being practised”.
Harris said the contact-tracing process that takes place when a person is diagnosed with Covid-19 shows most people are adhering to the guidelines, as people have fewer close contacts than those who were diagnosed a couple of weeks ago.
“Tonight, tomorrow, can you please keep doing what you are doing – it is making a difference, I want you to know this,” Harris said.
“That means, we the Irish people, are slowing the spread of this virus and we must do as much as we possibly can of that.”
Harris said the goal is to flatten the curve of the virus and, by doing so, save lives and help frontline healthcare workers.
“That’s the prize here, that’s what we’re all working for – how can we save as many lives as possible?”
Harris also encouraged people to look after their mental health and get out for a walk or run if they can but to observe social distancing - staying at least two metres away from other people – while doing so.
With reporting by Rónán Duffy and Sean Murray
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Where is the money they got for the great years in Europe competition??? Why should they get government funding when we have a Health crisis. A lot of scuriolis operations for that money
@John Hally: likely went into the investors/owners pockets. It’s the economic ideology we choose to live under. Has a tendency not to mix well with ‘the community’.
Once again, the taxpayer is put on the ‘hook’……& All the while children with scoliosis needing urgent surgery being kicked down the ‘road’
@Buster Lawless: Children’s waiting lists should be banned. Any child needing care should be sent to another country if no care is available here. For every month, a child has to wait , the family gets 1 million euro. Simple as that.
@did you every wonder: genuinely, cannot see anything WRONG with that suggestion
@did you every wonder: just wondering would have same comment if it was a gaa club. Just asking
@did you every wonder: I agree with you 100% Public money is easily squandered in Ireland in lots of different ways but can never be found for the deserving. Nothing forces the mind until it starts to hurt the coffers…
@Buster Lawless: Apart from the 1 million euros. That’s my tax money.
The same commenters here would be scolding the government for letting the club fall into liquidation. They did the right thing. We can’t pause all spending on everything until our health crises is solved. This app is full of the most cynical human beings in Ireland.
@Daire O’Reilly: very much doubt anyone would do any crying if this basket case’ was allowed to fail after years of blatant mismanagement. Sends out a totally stupid message that ‘moral hazard’ will not just be tolerated, it’ll be REWARDED
@Buster Lawless: If I was playing there (I used to play GAA for a club, on the side of a slopey mountain, with sheep turds on it, in winter they’d freeze solid), I would be overjoyed with the upgrades. It’s only 500k, the price of nearly two bike shelters.
@Daire O’Reilly: health crisis solved. Come on my friend get real. No matter how much money is spent. And billions have been. And more billions will be. But never a solution I’m ashamed to say
@Buster Lawless: yes, but those risks were not taken by the supporters nor the local community, and they are the ones who would benefit from the rescue, not the ones guilty of the moral hazard
@John Flanagan: I think you need to reread my comment. That’s exactly my point.
Youd wonder were all the european nights cash has gone . Some fall ..same with the great fanbase barley showing up these days. Cmon the town.
So dundalk wasted millions and are now broke..so the government thinks that it is a good idea to provide them money for floodlights and AstroTurf…
This should be seen in the same light as the Apple case, it is state aid to an independent private company ,which is not automatically being given to all other sporting organisations..I know they can apply but if refused, then state aid is not equal
@hi from heaven: I remember comments on an article on theJournal covering fans protests against their American owners and typical comments were sneering fans for having the audacity to want their club ran well. I think we need to put some legislation in that requires that fans/community have the majority ownership and oversees any investors before government commits to giving funding. Here we see a prime example of an investor who creamed off any profits for themselves and left the club to rot.
@hi from heaven: whatever arguments that can be made about this, one of them certainly isn’t that football in this country is getting too much money ahead of other sports.
The club is over a million in debt and needs €360k to get them through the next 10 weeks. So the government is giving them €500k to “upgrade the astro turf and floodlights” ? How will that save the club other than give the board more time to whine about how it’s not really their fault the club is bust. On the plus side, if anyone’s looking for second-hand astro turf and floodlights in November, I know a place that’ll be selling them cheap.
Why are they using my taxes for this? We really haven’t learned anything have we.
Wheres the millions they got from european competition government bailout for rte and everyone except small businesses
Well I’m glad dundalk is able to continue. Two things come to mind. Who spent the money from Europe etc. And arnt they lucky general election around the corner. Rest my case
Looks like no-one else was gonna save them so well done to the govt for stepping in, presumably they won’t get a second chance so better get their shitogether.
@Hotirish: The government’s money won’t save them.It will only entice any future owners.
Dundalk need around €350000 short term to stay alive.
What are they gonna do, put in new turf and floodlights and not pay the players?
Money been thrown around like confetti & Harris & Martin telling us lies that the General Election will be in Spring. All that’s needed around the country & they throw cash at a commercial outfit that will probably go burst anyways when investors pull more money out of it.
Why wasn’t the same help provided to Cork City when they needed it?
Over the years we saw the fablous success of the Club ,then we saw instead of progress the plastic pitch disintegrating ,the writing was on the wall when they Sold Pat Hoban ,so everyone surprised except Dundalk supporters, sad stuff …hope it works out…
There wasn’t a euro invested in the club a great club the pitch facilities toilet etc a disgrace she of the newer women’s soccer club better facilities pitch etc
Why the hell is my tax money being used to save a private business. No no, no
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