Coronavirus Ireland update: 219 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed as further 2 people die from virus
That brings the total number of cases in the country to 1,125
Updated 18:20, 23 MAR 2020
This handout illustration image obtained February 27, 2020 courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows the coronavirus,COVID-19 (Image: Photo by Handout / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / AFP)
There have been 219 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Ireland today, with two further deaths.
That brings the total number of cases in the country to 1,125.
A further 20 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland earlier today.
There are now 148 cases in the north, bringing the total on the island of Ireland to 1,273.
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Six people have sadly died in Ireland so far, with a further two deaths in Northern Ireland.
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Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: "We understand the anxiety this outbreak may be causing people. All aspects of our public health advice are constantly reviewed by the National Public Health Emergency Team and we will not hesitate to take more measures where necessary, based on epidemiological evidence and in proportion with Ireland's experience of this outbreak.
"The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet again tomorrow morning, where we will continue to review Ireland's response and make further recommendations where appropriate."
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health; "The key response that every individual can make if they are experiencing symptoms is to self isolate. While we continue to increase testing in Ireland, in line with WHO guidelines, the most important action that can be taken against this virus is isolation and social distancing."
93% of people are washing their hands more regularly
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 which will be conducted twice weekly, reveals;
· 88% of people say they are staying at home, rather than going out
· 84% of people say they are practicing social distance in a queue
· 71% of people say they are sitting further apart from others
· 75% are confident they would know what steps to take if they developed symptoms and 90% know the two most common symptoms (fever and/or cough)
Further breakdown of figures
Today's data from HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday 21 March (836 cases), reveals:
· 55% are male and 44% are female, with 37 clusters involving 210 cases
· the median age of confirmed cases is 44 years
· 239 cases (29%) have been hospitalised
· Of those hospitalised, 25 cases have been admitted to ICU
· 208 cases (25%) are associated with healthcare workers
· Dublin has the highest number of cases at 471, (56% of all cases) followed by Cork with 104 cases (12%)
· Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 45%, close contact accounts for 23%, travel abroad accounts for 31%
29% of cases have been hospitalised as of midnight Saturday
55% are male and 44% are female, 37 clusters involved in 210 cases
Two new deaths; both male in east of country
That brings the total in Ireland to 6, with a further 2 in Northern Ireland