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LAST UPDATE | 25 Mar 2020
A FURTHER 235 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total here to 1,564
Two more deaths connected to the coronavirus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of deaths in this country to nine.
The two patients who died are a female in the east of the country who had an underlying health condition and a male in the east of the country, of whom no underlying health condition was reported.
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the new patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
In Northern Ireland, 37 new positive cases were confirmed this morning, bringing the total number of cases to 209. There have been seven deaths in Northern Ireland.
Speaking at this evening’s briefing, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said that the number of contacts of confirmed cases is dropping, suggesting positive compliance with social distancing guidelines.
“We have seen through our contact tracing data a reduction of 20 per case approximately two weeks ago and dropping to 10 per case approximately one week ago, and down now to about five contacts per case. Again, giving us encouragement in terms of the compliance with social distancing that we’ve had in place in the last 10 days or so,” he said.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said that of the total of 1,164 cases, 305 (26%) people have been hospitalised, with 39 of those people admitted to intensive care.
Asked at this evening’s briefing about the number of patients who have fully recovered from the condition, Holohan said this information is not currently available but should be “very shortly”.
“The work we’re doing now, with both our modeling group and with the HSE and with our hospital systems, is to try and build us a capacity to be able to report that kind of information in real-time,” he said.
We expect to be there very, very shortly, in a position to give comprehensive real-time reporting in relation to those kinds of pieces of information.
This evening’s briefing by department officials comes following a change to the criteria people must meet to be tested for the condition.
Under new rules, patients will now have to show two major symptoms and be in a particular group in order to be put forward for a test for the coronavirus.
They include those in contact with a confirmed case, healthcare workers, those within vulnerable groups, prison inmates and workers, and those who live in long-term care facilities.
Speaking about this change, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn said it “remains the strategy” to “test as many people as possible”.
“But what we’ve said over the past 24 hours is that, clearly, the vast majority of people that have been tested over the past couple of weeks, with widening of the case definition, have tested negative.
And so what we’ve done in response to that is to tighten our case definition, to essentially make it more likely that the people who we are testing, that we’re picking up the people that actually have the disease, and therefore we can target the resources of the health service more effectively at contact tracing all of their contacts.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer at the HSE, said that the executive has been engaging with GPs today to assist them with patient queries on the new testing criteria.
“Patients who have questions of how it pertains to them, whether they’re waiting for tests or they feel that they may need to test, the proper way to do that is directly through their GP,” Henry said.
“And that’s what we intend, to make this communication clear so we’re confident that the discussions we’ve had with GPs today will give them the information they need to field any inquiries and give the proper advice to patients.”
In a statement issued this evening, Dr Mary Favier, president of the Irish College of General Practitioners, said that the revised testing protocol has created considerable additional strain for GPs.
“At this time of national emergency, decisions by public health officials are being made in all our best interest and at very short notice,” Favier said.
Ramping up
Yesterday, the HSE said that 14,692 samples have been tested and 93% returned negative.
Holohan said this evening that health officials are working towards a target of being able to carry out 15,000 tests per day by the middle of April.
He said that when the criteria was previously widened to remove to allow people who hand’t travelled from affected areas to receive a test, about 20,000 people per day were seeking one, a level he described as “neither feasible or sustainable”.
“Our view is that many more people that are ever likely to have this particular disease, have been seeking testing, well beyond a level that was either necessary, feasible or sustainable in terms of a testing strategy,” Holohan said.
At the briefing, the health officials also acknowledged the continuing challenges in relation to securing personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare staff.
Dr Colm Henry said the first haul of PPE from China will be here on Sunday and that equipment like masks, gowns, goggles are “coming in their millions”.
“We’re talking about millions of respiratory masks, facial masks, long-sleeved gowns, goggles, all that equipment we need will be coming in, in millions, in 50-60 airplane loads, beginning we hope this coming Sunday from China,” he said.
- With reporting by Michelle Hennessy
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Can you do us a favor?
Please please please stay at home.
We can never predict how COVID might affect your system, even if you are healthy.
Please stay at home. Don’t be lured by the fantastic weather. Please stay at home.
@Jinish Rajan: I’m standing with you on that… people please protect your family unit… keep them safe, stay at home
@Jinish Rajan: all non essential workplaces should be closed. All of them.
@Brian Dunne: Are you working in construction Brian?
@Brian Dunne: I know, only today I passed a construction site in full swing. Unfortunately we need to be told, not asked
@Jinish Rajan: what can be unsafe about going for a walk with your family through the fields? No one around and if you meet the odd person, we keep a good distance apart…..
@Jinish Rajan: I think it is clear that an appeal is not working.
Maybe it is time to do something like in France where you have to certify why you are on the street and where if you are going to work for an essential business you also get a certification from the employer.
@Darren Lambe: no darren. Im working in a manufacturing workshop
@Jinish Rajan: The Construction workers can not stay at home as they will not be paid. How are they allowed work on sites all week and spread the virus all over the country. Most of these workers travel to and from sites. CIF and Flynn Management on the radio saying it’s safe but have their own interests at heart not the interests of the nation. Very poor decision to leave sites open by the government. This one will come back to haunt them.
@Jinish Rajan: Unfortunately some of us have bosses who insist on office staff who could work from home coming in, because…reasons.
@Brian Dunne: You’re right in saying non essential work should be stopped. I was told today that it was up to me if I didn’t want to work but i dont know what way that would work in relation to the benefit
@Jinish Rajan: I wish I could. I work as admin staff for law office and we cant take calls from the public from home and we dont have the capacity to work from home. I work in a public service linked to the court service so oficially the office cannot close to public for emergency cases such as domestic violence and childcare orders. It’s not a matter to work from home in this instance.
@Darren Lambe: im in the same boat. I think if u take the time off yourself your entitled to nothing? Its a time bomb in work. One guy today didnt even wash his hands before lunch
@Brian Dunne: some people can work at home just fine…do we shut them down too?
@Crystal Leiker: if anyone can work from home thats fine. Thousands of us can’t
@Brian Dunne: I’m well aware that most people can’t work from home, but you can’t shut all non essential business down if there’s any chance they can run remotely. I would rather see people who can’t work from home actually home and supported and those who can work remotely being allowed to do so.
@Siobhán Bean Uí Mhurchú: actually Siobhan, I am in a similar position to you but we have a software that routes the calls to our laptop instead of the phone. So your bosses might need a small investment but it can be done. If then it’s a case of having kids at home and not being able to take calls it at least reduces the number of people in the office with those that can.
@Jinish Rajan: I fully understand what you are asking and I haven’t left my home for the last 10 days. And I don’t get the people that ask what’s wrong with going to the park keeping the distance. There is so many things wrong with going to the park. People are dying every single day, is it actually that hard to avoid going to the park for couple of months even if it’s away from everyone else. You will ha e the rest of your life to go to the f… park. You don’t know how this is being transmitted so fast. Look at what’s happening, open your eyes.
@Brian Dunne: Well that’s no good to any man. Its not possible to stick to the guidelines recommend ,while at work, simple as that.
@Jinish Rajan: unfortunately some of us still have to go to work… I work for a multinational that employes 1700 people… We’re still in full production..
@Darren Lambe: totally agree darren. Its crazy leaving it as it is.
@Jinish Rajan: We also need to start being able to test for recovered and immune individuals so people can keep the country running without been in insolation unnecessarily.
@Laro Alba: there is no advice at present t to stay entirely indoors. Going to the park is important for mental and physical health. Go, dont congregate, dont go close to people, dont touch anything if you can help it and just dont touch your face. Wash hands as soon as you arrive home before you touch anything g other than the front door.
@Mark Edwards: close them if they cant adhere to the guidelines yes. On a case by case basis. I work on a huge site, at night. There’s very few of us and its easy to keep our distance. So please stop calling for all sites to be closed, they’re all different.
@Laro Alba: except that it doesn’t get transmitted by passing some 2m away from you in an open area. Stop scare mongering. Yes it’s a serious illness I don’t think anyone is trying to dispute that but do you really think you have more medical knowledge than the people making the rules of what we should do? If people want to go for a walk in there family units and look after there mental health by doing so let them. No one asked you to lock yourself inside and judge everyone else. Panic helps no one. Be reasonable.
@Dara Mac Fhionnain:
You may do.
Others don’t
@Étáin O’ Keeffe: I’m being very reasonable and by no means trying to spread any panic. You have a frontline doctor here begging you to stay at home. You have all the public figures in Italy begging everyone stays at home. You don’t have to take my advise, I am by no means qualified to give you advise and I am very sorry if I am causing panic by adhering to what is being said by many. I am just doing the right thing that makes sense and when this is over I can hold my head up and say other then the three people in my family I have not met or been close to anyone else. As for mental health there are a lot of activities you can do in your garden or indoors if you don’t have a garden. For that you can use google but if you have difficulty doing that please let me know and I can help you.
@Jinish Rajan: Absolutely!! There is no other way now and we gotta do what we gotta do!! That’s it!
@Jinish Rajan: most offices are open
@Dara Mac Fhionnain: why you still taking chance to meet family in field. Corona will end only when you dont meet anyone. No medicine for it. Only one way stay at home
@Jinish Rajan: And close building sites
@Pranab Vasudeva: Here’s a general knowledge for you. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52002734
@Daniel: well they would be great but such a test doesn’t exist
@Crystal Leiker: what a ridiculous comment!!
As a frontline Paramedic in the thick of it can I Please ask you to stay in and keep us safe and well so as we can help people that are unwell and unlucky.
@Thomas Mulligan: thank you Thomas for your service. you are all our heroes in the health service.
@Thomas Mulligan: The neighbors kids called around today asking could ours come out to play. I told them no they couldn’t come out, harsh on ours as they are young but needs to be done. If I was a gambling man I’d bet they were told to call around by their parents. I just don’t get some people??
@Thomas Mulligan: First off my sincere gratitude to you and your colleagues. I go to the shop only when I need to and go shopping once a week for the shopping. We have three kids from 8 to 12 who are not allowed outside of the garden and I have explained why. we are camping out tomorrow night just to have a little fun. Please everyone stay safe. And again thank you Thomas.
@ronjondabomb: had the very same myself this evening. Neighborhood kids playing football out on the green. Parents not doing enough.
@Thomas Mulligan: Thank you… For all you do. Stay safe out there!
I’m in a risk group and I’m staying home. Are you?
@John Flood: absolutely. Just going out daily for a 30 minute walk and once a week for food shopping
@FrontSeatDriver: same as that. Out at 8 in the morning to walk the dog along the canal and home for the day. Plenty of jobs to be done in the house that I had been promising the wife I would do. No excuses now.
@Joe Davis: haha and plenty of time to do the jobs. I’m the same. Have a long list. Best of luck
@FrontSeatDriver: not even going to shops. Our daughter will get anything for us, leave at door and go. 2 high risk category here
@FrontSeatDriver: ive been livin like this for years
Another two people taken sadly from us by the virus is very sad. Rest in peace.
The rate of increase is interesting. I know its still 200+ cases for people and I know we’re a week behind with also the 40-50k waiting( if any of were serious theyd be taken to hospital and counted surely, chances are a lot dont have it) but still in all, the numbers arent increasing as Id expect. We should start to see the effects of social distancing over the next week also, dare i be hopeful we are in some way flattening that curve?
@Daimhín De Naois: how dare you show optimism with all this going on. You should take a long hard look at yourself. :-)
@Benny: lol especially on here. Sometimes I think they only allow negative comments (like this one!)
@Daimhín De Naois: U tryin to b positive on the journal? U new here? I would agree to a certain extent, the amount of positive per tests is still v high considering we’ve thousands a day waitin for a test? If u think it’s roughly 8/9% positive that’s by the figure u mentioned 8000 cases now this minute?
@Dougal67: Sorry long day my maths is out, 4000
@Benny: apologies folks, almost forgot myself. THE WORLD IS F*CKED!!!!! There, thats better :p
@Daimhín De Naois: at roughly 15% increase day on day, yes we are. That’s a doubling every 5 days. Not too bad. 11% would take a week to double the case numbers. That would give us a real chance of ending this quickly.
I go to the supermarket twice a week to feed a family of six. In and out of supermarket in 30 mins each time. The rest of the time, all of us are at home – in the house or playing in the back garden… yes it’s not easy, but it’s so imporatant that we all follow the rules the best we can, the better the isolation now, the sooner this will all be over with.
@Declan O’Neill: lookit a lot of us the same. Wife working from home. 3 kids. I have to go to work (medical devices) it’s either work or supermarket and after that it’s back garden whilst the children go off their heads it’s gone to the dogs but it’s the nature of the beast. Survival of the fittest in more ways than one at the moment. But I’m looking forward to the summer, it’s our Lenten fast and I’m not a God believer. Isolation means survival and the outside world right now is lava.
R.I.P
These figures suggest social distancing is definitely having an impact. People in Ireland are very aware and n the main doing what they’re told.
Keep it up and stay at home.
Newstalk today reporting that 94% of people being tested are testing negative.
@Pád: that’s probably due to the ‘test everyone’ strategy that was in place when these tests took place. Given the new testing requirements you imagine that 94% will drop
@Daniel O’Connor: it will drop but the narrowing of the criteria does make sense
@Daniel O’Connor: Well that’s what’s being reported.
I’d say it probably has a lot to do with the hypochondriacs that are wasting tests!
@Pád: it’s also to do with the waiting times. The tests don’t tell you if you had it, only if you have it. And waiting lists are up to 5 days.
@Pád: Which means about 2500 of the 40000 people waiting for a test have COVID-19.
@David Jordan: I got tested last Thursday and haven’t heard from anyone since. Could have it, may not have it :/
@David Jordan: Did ya use your calculator for that?
Only a lockdown can stop the spread
@Mark: this IS a lockdown. You’re being advised to stay at home. People aren’t doing that.
@becca laste: it’s not a lockdown. Public transport still operates. Construction sites still operate. Many corporate HQs in Dublin are still open and staffed.
@becca laste: no your not if u don’t go to work u loose your job
@becca laste: being asked and told unfortunately is a big difference
@becca laste: it’s not you are still allowed to go for a walk and only being advised to stay home. Here in Spain is a real lock down.
@Mark: the government have given their guidelines, its up to us the people to abide by them!
@Sinead2301: yes go to work in construction the big boys can’t loose the profits
@becca laste:
I think being advice and being told are two different thinks.
It’s not a lockdown. If It was everything would be should down or locked down.
@becca laste: I work on a site n can tell you ever tower crane in dublin is just about working
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: And what about the flight situation? The whole reason things escalated quickly was by not having any measures in place. If we can control it we need to use the fact we’re an island to our advantage.
@becca laste: with the amount of people going to work how is it a lockdown?
@Mark: a lockdown isnt the only solution, people have brains…they should use them. Most people are. But there is a small cohort out there that either do not believe this virus is as bad as it is…or think it’s fun and games, or think it’s never going to happen to them. That’s what we have emergency legislation for, and garden to enforce against blatant stupidity.
@Brian Ó Dálaigh: some healthcare workers use public transport..how are they supposed to go save lives with transport shut down??
@Sinead2301: That’s all well and good if it were a thing that people not heeding the advice were only putting themselves in danger. For everyone’s sake, it’s time the Government stopped asking us to do things and instead made laws with draconian punishment handed out to anyone in breech of said laws.
If they don’t start to take action soon, it’ll be too late. People are actually expressing relief that the new figures aren’t higher. Unless the summer has a negative effect on how this virus spreads, we are well up the creek. I remember just a couple of weeks ago when people were aghast at 21 new cases being announced. Now people are relieved at 230 new ones per day. I don’t want Government ministers thanking the majority of us for adhering to their advice. I want tough action now.
@Martin Woods: Or build homes for the homeless, but all of a sudden, they are yesterday’s news
@Toon Army: The only people on these flights are Irish nationals/residents getting home. You think there are tourists currently arriving? Come on, be reasonable. Citizens need to be able to return home.
Wow wasn’t Cheltenham such a great idea give yer selves a big clap
@Wiggy Wigsters Fitness: How many cases are directly linked to those returning from Cheltenham ?
@Tommy Roche: Who cares! It’s done now was it just has to be dealt with!
@Pád: did u have a good time there Pád ? Back any winners ?
@Wiggy Wigsters Fitness: it didn’t start in Cheltenham, what about the Italian rugby supporters that were allowed travel for the game that was cancelled? Bigger mistake in my opinion.
@Wiggy Wigsters Fitness: Are people still beating that drum?? People were following the advice of governments on both sudes of the Irish sea, there was no advice not to travel to the UK nor were there any travel restrictions. Move on!!
@Tommy Roche: one is too many
@Philip Howlin: Was there one ?
@Tommy Roche: the only person I know personally that has been diagnosed with it was at Cheltenham, we’re in South East Dublin , he’s in his 30s and was hospitalised because of an underlying condition, guy who was with him no symptoms so far
@Wiggy Wigsters Fitness: those on business in London using tube who flew back likely to be bigger risk as London ahead of rest of UK in covid infection terms. 3,000 athletico Madrid fans at anfield on that week. The real issue is the spread at source and lack of information from China which caught out the Italians. Genie is out of bottle now so it’s all futile looking back.
@Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: the world and its mother knew it would get worse before it got better. There wasn’t a soul alive on the 9th of March that thought “sure that’ll stop at 24″. If they were ignorant of the facts it was wilful ignorance.
18.2% increase yesterday 15.02% today. People keep doing what we are doing plus a little bit more and we will kick this out of Ireland. Massive respect to front line workers doctors nurses cleaners ambulance and Gardai. If I missed anyone apologies……. oh and parents who have kept their children entertained and well. #staysafestayathome
@Bernard Doyle: It was a 7% reduction yesterday.
Last 3 days have been, 219, 204, 235.
@Bernard Doyle: sure when ur doing less testing u get less positives.
The daily death rate (please god zero) and numbers in intensive care now most informative stats we will get.
Of the 7 fatalities at this stage surely they could give us ages so we get some sort of a idea as to whether we are in line with other nations on average age of the deceased
Instead of old Middle aged
What is old to the Irish government who thinks u don’t deserve a pension till 68.
@Bain triail aisti: it’s based on the original projected figures of 30-35% per diem
@OhToBeARossie: ah the hyperhysteria our testing is high our results are slow however the press reports 94% negative cases at the moment we have less than 10 deaths and the projected figures of 15000 by the end of the month are looking less likely. Take the positive rather than the negative I work in a hospital and go to work with a smile every day……. we will get there ….. just be patient
@OhToBeARossie: they are not doing less testing. Where did you get that useless piece of information from? They are wasting a lot of time with a very low positive rate. They changed direction get that figure up and capture the people who are realistically sick.
On the age of the person who died that is frankly non of your business or anyone’s business.
@OhToBeARossie: you must be a bot or an AMAZING person
We need to re-visit the current advise on mask use. It has the potential to slow spread from pre symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. N95 and surgical masks should be kept exclusive for healthcare workers but there are DIY options that are up to 5 times more effective than nothing. They should be used along with social distancing in supermarkets especially! The cost / benefit for mass producing basic masks in re-purposed factories would be reasonable considering the vast sums already being spent.
https://amp.inkstonenews.com/health/coronavirus-health-researchers-urge-global-authorities-consider-broadening-use-face-masks/article/3074453?fbclid=IwAR2tYyPPZbXHEyLFWI2CFhvKkuSEY_Y6rbRNv7JPDvPIyOfrWSUuan4gysM&__twitter_impression=true
@Barney Corleone: I would direct you to the WHO website on face mask use for guidance on this which is very clear.
@Barney Corleone: Agree 100% Barry. If I could get masks I’d use them.
@Barney Corleone:
@DK: A basic mask can be made from instructions online. It is not to protect the wearer but more to protect others if you are a carrier who is not displaying symptoms.
@Gerry McNally: the WHO and HSE advise is to wear a mask if you are displaying symptoms. We now know from a German study that you can carry the virus and spread it without displaying any symptoms. Cover your face in a supermarket. A scarf or bandana is better than nothing. It is not for your own protection. It is for the protection of everyone else. Japan had cases before Italy and Asian countries where mask wearing is common seem to be flattening the curve. It is not a silver bullet but as long as you are not using N95 or surgical masks that are needed by healthcare workers, surely it is worth a try. There is data to back up the use of homemade masks. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258525804_Testing_the_Efficacy_of_Homemade_Masks_Would_They_Protect_in_an_Influenza_Pandemic
@Gerry McNally: The WHO advise is to wear face masks if you are displaying symptoms. We now know from a German study that you can spread COVID19 when you are pre- symptomatic or a symptomatic. Face masks are not primarily to protect the wearer. They are to protect everyone else. Please do not buy N95 or surgical masks as there is a shortage. They should be exclusively by healthcare workers.
Japan is open for business. They had cases before any european countries. No major shutdowns. They all wear masks! I do not hear any calls for them to stop wearing them.
There is evidence for them being effective in a number of studies. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10218775512211448&id=1609550032
We have physical distancing and staying at home and most business shut . Testing is pointless at this point only for statistics . The big issue right now is Ireland low numbers of ventilators.
How is Germany doing so well with low death numbers ? They got a lot of Ventilators we don’t . The government dropped the ball on the ventilators .
Ireland produces 50% world ventilators we need to stop exports of them until we have enough just like Germany stopped supplies leaving Germany before they got their fill and same with France blocking stuff going to the UK.
Manufacturing facilities need to be orders to product goods that are essential just like the defence act in America which can turn existing factories into facilities that produce products for the National effort
@Block a Tron: The 0.5% mortality rate in Germany is down to the aggressive testing, isolation and good hospital system in addition to the mentioned ventilators.
@Block a Tron: I would agree
@Block a Tron: Testing is important for contact tracing purposes to limit the spread of virus.
@Block a Tron: Germany currently has a low mortality rate of 0.4% due to aggressive testing and contact tracing early, not due to ventilators. They may come in handy soon, as the Germans themselves say what they did early on cannot be maintained due to the sheer numbers now…
@Block a Tron: Ireland is only doing marginally better than here in Germany when comparing death rates with positive cases. Based on current daily increases, my local hospital’s intensive unit will be at capacity by tomorrow. Similar situations in nearby regions. The next few days are likely to bring more drastisc measures like hospitals closing doors to all non-emergency patients and visitors.
I literally just read the number and then head straight for the comments, everyone seems to have a better system than the HSE currently do. Our country are trying to do a hell of a job to control this thing, and all you hear are bloody moaners. Just stay at home (if your job allows), look after yourself and your family, and try and enjoy this once in a lifetime break from normal life.
Some. Of use still have to work because of this current government…. So we all can’t stay at home.
@pat murphy: give it a rest!!
@pat murphy: Boo hoo! Build a bridge!
@Anne Jordan: your probably on the social sure be grand
@pat murphy: do you would not have to work if there was a different government?
@pat murphy: I hope you’re not an English teacher
@Pád: you’re a complete selfish pr*ck. I want to keep myself and my 82 year old father safe. I’d rather stay at home but I have to go to work as connected to healthcare to ensure you and your family get the best care possible and get the treatment you need. Hope you’re enjoying Netflix ! We are worn out with the workload
@Ray_Liotta: and you’ve been reported to be blocked
@Jen Gordon: Christ lad ignore!!
@Fabio Dillon: last checked I wasn’t a lad but thanks for the advise thought provoking
I work in construction, to me a non essential project, how can I just stay at home? I won’t get paid, I still have bills to pay, but feel unprotected every day going to work, I live in Meath and travel from meath to Dublin to work in Cork and back again each week and stay in different Hotels, Air bnbs and no clue who stayed there before me, I’ve to shop in aldi or lidl for food for the week, work a full week and no clue if I pick up the coronavirus and bring it home to my family at the weekend. My husband has asthma and COPD and I’m at my own wits end of spreading this unawares to myself.. I feel the government over look us who work in construction and not realise that we have families to and to protect, I’m completely confused to why I am allowed to work and travel around for work when the majority is indoors.. Not all of the construction sector is essential.. I’m risking my own health, my family’s health and the health of others around me… RIP to those who have lost their lives in this crisis.. Stay safe and stay indoors, this is a serious and devastating virus.. I truly hope our government sees that working in construction puts our families at a high rish also..
Any chance of closing the comments before the bots arrive.
@David Clarke: I agree these comment sections are havens for misinformation and conspiracy theorists who get their rocks off when stuff like this happens. Let’s be respectful to the people who’ve died, the families of the dead and the people who are suffering the worst from this and not be getting on our high horses and demanding people act the way you think they should
@David Clarke: Which bots?
It’s much easier for people who have gardens and outdoor spaces to stay at home. But what about living in the famous Irish apartment with no balcony, outdoor space or other amenity? Are they supposed to stay indoors exclusively? The fact is, we all have to go outside now and again, whether it’s a shop for the week, or to regain some mental composure during this stressful time. The trick is to do it in accordance with physical distance, not touching things that you aren’t going to bring home, and general caution, hand hygiene etc. You can’t expect people to stay inside carte blanche
Could someone explain to me please.
Is the 1564 the number in hospital, the number who are critical or the number who are just confirmed but may be staying at home in their own house.
Thanks
@Sequoia: that’s the confirmed number of cases in ireland of which most will be fine.
@Sequoia: that’s the amount that have tested positive. Last we heard on hospitalization it is about 30% of cases that need it. That’s very high so stay safe and stay home.
@Sequoia: I believe it’s the total number who’ve contracted the virus. Not the number who are critically ill.
@Sequoia: the latter.
@Sequoia: it’s the total number of people confirmed to be infected. They can be in hospital or at home in self isolation.
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
Breakdown of stats for all countries updated regularly.
@Sequoia: 1564 cases number in hospitals are a percentage of this at beginning it was nearly all now it’s the very sick and those in icu
@Sequoia: Number of tested and confirmed cases.
@Sequoia: confirmed cases, but it also includes recovered and dead, so is currently slightly higher than the number of people currently ill.
@Sequoia: just confirmed, some will be isolated in there own homes, only critical will be in hospital
@Sequoia: 36 in icu
@Sequoia: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
This is a great help. Click on whatever country you need to see. Update every minute
@Sequoia: Number confirmed
@Liam O Sullivan: They should give details of numbers recovering. Also what about people’s mental health being confined all the time. We were told we can go for a walk but keep our distance if we meet anyone
@anthony johnston: how does this help? It is excellent at capturing break time cases but how does statistical analysis of a pandemic help? Govt advice is good help
@Liam O Sullivan: 9 dead, 5 recovered, over 350 in hospital of which 39 in critical condition. I think the icu cases is over 60.
@Sequoia: all of the the, that you mentioned.
They need to catch up and get the right numbers and then plan a lock down
@john: agree, these figures aren’t right. People can’t get tested.
People are getting tested. The problem is that if they had an itchy nose they were getting tested. Thats changed now so the real figures should start emerging in the next few days. Hopefully not too bad.
@Joe Davis: Bulls**t
@Joe Davis: I thought only people who are referred by doctors could get tested. Nobody can just rock up to a testing centre and get tested.
@Joe Davis: fever, cough, shortness of breath was referred last week but no longer meet the criteria this week. Plenty of people with more than an itchy nose aren’t getting tested.
@Daithi De Roiste: I’ve been working in a testing centre for nearly 14 days. I can safely say that amount of people who’ve come for testing with a vague sore throat or a few aches and pains are astonishing. I’m not at all surprised that 96% are testing negative.
We absolutely need to focus testing on those most likely to be positive, frontline workers and those who are vulnerable.
@Tricia Nolan: That’s fair enough. But i still believe that alot of people that have it now won’t be tested even though they have the symptoms.
@Daithi De Roiste: I don’t believe they will. 80% of cases get a fever. Only 5% get a sore throat or runny noses and only 20% get shortness of breath.
So it makes sense to focus on the highest % symptom along with one of the other symptoms. Plus this is what the WHOs recommendation is.
@Jason Pierce: this is the daily bulletin we get in Portugal . If you go to page 3 you will see that of all the positive cases so far only 51% developed fever . The highest percentage is for cough . Yesterday we broadened our testing parameters to any symptom and any contact of a positive case ( with or without symptoms ). The aim is to find the positive cases and to contact trace and quarantine as many as possible . I don’t believe for a minute GP’s referred people with a mere sore throat here . Thousands were removed from the waiting list , hundreds are still waiting for test results & their close contacts if asymptomatic still either going to work or shopping . It’s worrying.
https://covid19.min-saude.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/i026070.pdf
@Isabel Oliveira: read the above comment from one of the people on the front line testing on a daily basis. One of the first studies out of China on Covid 19 indicated that upto 90% of cases had High fever and just over 59% had a cough. Fatigue was even higher on the list than cough at 68%
I admire the HSE for making a call on it. It wasn’t working. Too many people clogging up the system with coughs they have had for months. A 6% hit rate is a poor waste of resources.
I was waiting to be tested, and I do believe there are cases that don’t have fever. As I didn’t , But not a high enough percentage to get to the people that need treatment.
The government, Tony Houlihan , all of the infectious diseases specialists and all the healthcare workers are doing a fantastic job . As are most of us in Ireland so let’s keep going . It’s like watching our sticks go up in price . The more we invest the greater can be the return so keep indoors and just lets sit it out . Being calm is growing on us all
How can you contact trace when those given low priority for testing can wait days or even not get a test at all now by the looks of it? The capability of contact tracing as gone so far now it seems like a case of who’s hasn’t been in contact rather than who has. Lock the place down, it’s what the people want.
@Mark: hello bot account.
@Ian Breathnach: oh you caught me. Do you disagree?
@Mark: The advice of Mark from the internetz, or the advice of the medical experts advising the government on public policy. Tough choice, but I think the majority would disagree with you and agree with the experts.
@Mark: you mean you want a lockdown.
@Mark: eh if you are feeling unwell you are supposed to self isolate regardless of being tested or not.
Does anyone know what the long term plan is? At what point do they decide we can start going back to some normality? Do they get the curve flat and just try to keep it flat, how does it resolve? Does anyone even really know?
@JBobD: yeah, Carol Cunningham knows it all apparently
@DReynolds: just seen that there when I was scrolling through. Carol Cunningham, take a wee look there for us, I’ll get you a wee soap box to stand on so you can report your findings!
Newstalk today reporting 94% of people being tested are testing negative!
@Pád: a lot of them might not have had corona anymore as they were waiting so long .
What took them so bloody long to get the stats out: its not like we have 60 million people in Ireland : a disgrace and typical of the badly run HSE!!!
@Carol Cunningham: did the 90 minute delay while they were treatung patients with limited equipment after working round the clock upset you Carol? If only they were more condsiderate.
@Carol Cunningham: Don’t moan.
It’s clear that you don’t have a clue what’s the staff of HSE are and voluntary hospitals doing. Obviously they are not in park or shopping centres.
I would be surprised if some of them get enough sleep.
@Carol Cunningham: it must be the highlight of your day? Tragic way to be going on. Sad
@Carol Cunningham: what difference does it make to you exactly? Cop on.they have enough to be doing
@Carol Cunningham: And breathe Carol. Breathe.
@Carol Cunningham: Behave yourself, this isn’t all about you.
@Ian Breathnach: Well said my friend.
@Carol Cunningham: and what the hell are you doing to help during this crisis huh?? Sitting at home watching reruns of the chase acting like your the worlds knight in shining armour cause you didn’t cross the door today?
@David Clarke: they are not treating patients. We are up the road from one of our major hospitals in Cork called the South Infirmary. We have a close friend working there and on the front line: they have many beds free now because they are not doing any operations that are not essential: they do not have a single Coronavirus patient. This is the calm before the storm and surely the HSE can COUNT or is that too much to ask I!!!
@Ian Breathnach: Eh given that they are not treating patients when testing: then surely they can COUNT and what is your problem anyhow, do you have to be so impolite in your response!!!!!
@Carol Cunningham:
Think the doctors and nurses and all frontlines are doing a smashing job!
@Carol Cunningham: They are counting. Are you able to read? What difference does 90 minutes make? They’re national figures. Get a grip of yourself.
@Carol Cunningham: how dare the HSE even send figures to the new’s core instead of sending to Carol first!! Carol you are the most important person in Ireland let’s all bow to you…fun fact, who thinks carol is out and about most days not adhering to the Guidlines…I certainly do
@Carol Cunningham: why is it badly run? Do you think they should handle this crisis differently? What qualifications do you have in infectious disease transmission?
@Carol Cunningham: of course you are…
@Caddyshack: she had a Google PhD!!
@Carol Cunningham: Are you normally this entitled? Even in a crisis? Grateful for the daily updates from the HSE, keep the social distancing going guys!
@Carol Cunningham: Good for them.I can assure you that in the Mater they are most definitely treating patients.And also you might remember people are in hospital for things other than coronavirus.
@Carol Cunningham: Carol is a wagon! (Sorry, just thought I’d jump on the bandwagon)
The number of new cases is complete fiction. If you’re not high risk you don’t get a test. That doesn’t mean people isolating at home don’t have it. A waste of time reporting these fake figures
@Daithi De Roiste: Yes Completely fake news! Down with this sort of stuff!
@Daithi De Roiste: The new testing routine would not have had an effect of today’s numbers as it’s taking about 26hours to process the tests
@alphasully: Yes and also, they are 7 days behind.
@Daithi De Roiste: Ireland are testing more people per population at the than most countries in Europe.
They are unable to test every person or in-fact have it 100% accurate. If some one thinks they have it they follow the guidelines. Stay at home and isolate. Simple really. You don’t need to know if you have it or not if you have mild symptoms. The real time figures are the important figures total in ICU 40 people, dead 9 in hospital around 400.
We need to get to the at risk because they are exactly what is says on the tin “at Risk” these are the people who will shove the numbers I spoke of above up and put the system under pressure. Do they really care about every mild case in the country ? No but if you have a mild case and live with some at risk. Yes they want to know you.
If there are about 50K waiting for test then we could expect 6% of them to be positive. This is 3K positives plus the almost 1500 who have tested positive already plus maybe 2k who are not symptomatic and unaware of any problem. This suggests that the real figure is 6.5/7k people in the Republic with the virus
@Gearóid ÓCiaráin: As against an expected 15,000 by the end of the month. We are not doing too badly.
RIP.
Why are building sites not closed down?
@Jjohn Cconway: because there are only two of them
Hoping Tony doesn’t get it and stays well. He is doing a tremendous job it.
Two more deaths very sad.Two more to many.
Everyone has to question themselves. Are you doing enough?
Count how many people you could have passed this on to in the last week if you were carrying it.
Question every move you make to see are you putting yourself at risk? Or someone else.
Sign up for online shopping so you don’t have to go to the shop. Limit your contact with anyone outside the 4 walls of your house. It’s very simple.
@Jason Pierce: don’t sign up for online shopping if you are physically able to get there and not in an at-risk category. The service is neither instantaneous nor limitless in capacity; leave it for those that need it
I really don’t know how Ireland got one case. With all the experts we have here, you would think we have every angle covered.
Please god these numbers slow down ..I as a woman who struggles with mental health issues hoping every day things will get better
Still can’t give figures on how many people have recovered, why?
@Michael Byrne: We have 5 recovered, check worldometers.info for all stats worldwide
@Michael Byrne: Because it takes a separate test for anti bodies in the blood stream.
At this stage there is no point to it.
As for the comments on the South Infirmary all elective treatments were cancelled there last week, it is obviously on standby in case of a surge of infections.
For all the people pleading with people to stay home we are still seeing people from Dublin down in Wexford at their holiday homes! Again today cars were going by our house in the way to the beach near us. All D regs and surprisingly northern Irish regs aswell. What part of limit travel within Ireland do people not get. Your holiday home is not your HOME. You are putting pressure on local shops to supply produce for larger numbers which in turn is pushing locals to go to towns for shopping increasing their risk.
We have been isolating for the last three weeks because my mother who is 73 has ovarian cancer with practically no immune system. She got out of hospital from having pneumonia three weeks ago.
I go to our local village for the necessities when necessary. Please stay at home!
@Irisheyes: I practically have a bath in dettol when I get back from the shop. I’m trying to keep my mother alive. The stress is unreal. I have anxiety anyway. Lately I’ve had a headache for weeks, I can’t sleep for worry. Then I see people driving by in campervans and convertibles like it’s the August weekend. It’s so frustrating how stupid people can be.
I wish someone would ask Tony can you get it a second time after recovery.
@Stan Kowalskis: they arent sure.. There was no reoccurring effects from sars but no data on cv19. You. Can check it out by tying into google
@Stan Kowalskis: Hi Stan there has been a case in Japan where it was contracted twice from someone who recovered https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/16/the-big-question-over-coronavirus-can-a-person-get-it-twice have a look and make your own mind up
Back to work tomorrow after a week off not looking forward to it
F F S lockdown for two weeks
Are they showing the ages of those who are critical or have been hospitalized? If so could someone share? A big misconception is that the virus for the most time affects the older generation or those with pre existing conditions and it’s simply not true. If we know the age demographic and specific condition state it will wake up those who that think that they’re in the clear! RIP to those who’ve lost their lives, really horrible.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan is amazing. He is on TV every night giving us the numbers and all the latest information. He has now become the face of the HSE and I look forward to the evening when he has the good news, reduction in diagnoses and deaths. His broadcast is also being interpreted for the deaf, which is proper practice . However the government representative’s speeches are not interpreted for the deaf which is appalling. The deaf community have as much right as the rest of the population to be given this information in their language. The Dept of An Taoiseach need to get their act together and have all their speeches on Covid 19 interpreted into ISL, a language that has now been recognised as an official language in this country.
We can stop this just stay the f in, especially your kids!! We know most of the time a console or the streets minded your kids but u have to put your adult pants on now and keep them in and entertain them.
The virus doesn’t spread on its own it spreads from person to person, no people it has nowhere to go! Get it good!! Stay in
Ireland
1 death per 173 positive tests
Northern Ireland
1 death per 30 positive tests
SCARY!!
Does anyone think publishing the age groups of the deceased might be beneficial in encouraging diligence in younger people?
I wonder what the real numbers will be.
I know the hse are doing the best they can with the resources they have.
I read somewhere earlier that 94% is negative, but 20000 people a day have requested to be tested over the last 10 days…
That would be appropriately 12000 positive cases.
I’m waiting 6 days now for results from being tested last week and I can’t return to work until I get my results…..
HSE must have a very outdated information system. Why is it so difficult to provide information about recoveries? This is 2020, not 1918.
@Seriousnojoke: its 5 recovered. Do you need them to feed you your breakfast tomorrow too?
@Seriousnojoke:
Just ask Carol Cunningham who has posted above. She’s an expert who has a lot of knowledge to impart to the HSE on getting out stats on infectious diseases. She really is fantastic.
Hoping Tony doesn’t get it and stays well. He is doing a tremendous job.
It seems to be a lot of people dying in the east of Ireland. Why is this?
@Rory Jermyn: population density
Everybody just needs to accept all the expert advice and changes in screening criteria as they have been fantastic so far in steering us in to the path of least obstruction . Just stay inside and let these people continue to guide us . Any respiratory symptoms just keep the 14 day rule don’t wait to be told to . The test is not the cure . The isolation is the pandemic cure . Every drop in an icu admission is a win . Getting back out of icu is never going to be a given so just don’t end up there and stay home for all our sakes . We hold all the cards so use them
Problem we have here is we are so used to getting warnings for weather etc that dont materialise we get hard to believe this could happen us
It seems to be a lot of people dying in the east of Ireland. Why is this do people think?
@Rory Jermyn: 9 is not a lot, it’s a minuscule sample size for the purpose of a statistical question
R.i.p to all families of these people who have passed. But to everyone calling for lockdown here there and everywhere spare a thoughts to the families of all doctors nurses paramedics health workers and anyone on the Frontline don’t people think that their families would love them home on lockdown and stay safe but unfortunately they can’t they are too busy looking after everyone else separated from their families for God knows how long.
Whenever we need a new Minister For Health Dr Tony is your man
Doig a Brillant Job KEEPING everyone on on ther toes
Still no answers to how many have recovered!!! I’ve been begging someone to ask the gov this weeks ago, where’s the 80% mild cases recovered 2 weeks crap!! We don’t see them sort of figures in any country!! Barely 8/9% in most country’s 0.3% here atm 1564 cases just 5 recovered? Seriously worried…because when us ask they Fob u off, he did other day and did again now, get back to Yeh?
@Dougal67: How about giving us that in English, then someone might be able to answer it ?
@Bill Collins: No need to be rude
@Damon16: What’s rude about it ? Do you know what he’s on about ? I certainly don’t.
@Bill Collins: @Bill Collins: get an adult to read it for u maybe? Here I’ll type slow…they say 80% recover fine mild symptoms bla bla bla, but we don’t see 80% better do we?? 1564 here 5 recovered? That should be over 1200 surely? He’s been asked a few times now what’s the recovery rate and he’s fobbed it off constantly? 64000 USA under 400 recovered? Got it?
@Dougal67: that would be assuming all mild cases have been tested / hospitalised but they havnt so probably many people who have had a mild version and either didnt even know they had it, or just stayed at home and and recovered arent in the official count. Thats just my thoughts who knows for sure.
STAY THE FOOK HOME!!!
Anyone that can work from home should anyone that can’t protect yourself wash your hands ware glove and a mask
Who are the Bots? Silly comment !
Only a matter off time
We are all doomed only getting started
I think they should lockdown Dublin like they did with Milan, no one in or out. It’s the biggest concentration of cases so lock it down.
3% of POSITIVE cases admitted to ICU.
Is there anywhere you can report non essential businesses still open?
Lockdown country later then now. Means no one on the road.
Mother Nature had enough
Sick of the way we humans treat the planet
Anyone think this Covid 19 pandemic could return yearly like the flu ??
Horrible thought
RIP, too the 2 more people,I just hope that now their only testing people if the are cutting down on the testing that they get to the people in time,its scary times all over the world..xxxxxx
I wonder where they plan on building that massive field hospital, and where they plan on obtaining all the beds as well…
More infection coming from China in planes
@Pranab Vasudeva: we need to stay positive. China has recovered
It’s getting serious now..
Everybody just needs to accept all the expert advice and changes in screening criteria as they have been fantastic so far in steering us in to the oath of least obstruction . Just stay inside and let these people continue to guide us . Any respiratory symptoms just keep the 14 day rule don’t edit to be told to . The test is not the cure . The isolation is the pandemic cure . Every drop in an icu admission is a win . Getting back out of icu is never going to be a given so just don’t end up there and stay home for all our sakes . We hold all the cards so use them
have your say