15 more deaths and 139 new cases have been recorded in the Republic of Ireland with an increase of 2 additional cases in Co Clare.
1,467 COVID-19 related deaths have now been recorded in the Republic of Ireland following confirmation of an additional 15 deaths.
Nursing homes account for 54.4% of the lives lost in the country. Of the 920 deaths from long-term residential settings, 798 have been in nursing homes. There has been an increase of 72 new cases in the such settings in the last 24 hours.
On Monday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre were notified of 139 new cases bringing to 23,135 the amount of personnel that have received a positive diagnosis since the outbreak of the virus, it does not factor in recovered personnel. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan confirmed that the wrong figure was issued by the Department of Health yesterday with regard to new cases.
Latest detail for Co Clare has reported an increase of two cases. As of Saturday May 9th, there are 305 cases in the county. This figure includes those that have been diagnosed since the outbreak of the virus and not those that have recovered.
Offaly 351 (+1)
Clare 305 (+2)
Kerry 303 (0)
Kilkenny 280 (+3)
Longford 267 (+3)
Laois 248 (+1)
Roscommon 247 (+12)
Wexford 202 (+3)
Waterford 143 (0)
Carlow 141 (+2)
Sligo 123 (+7)
Leitrim 74 (+8)#COVID19— Páraic McMahon (@thepmanofficial) May 11, 2020
Testing priorities have moved on from nursing homes, the Chief Medical Officer stated. More focus is now being placed on Direct Provision centres. A risk assessment is completed following the outbreak of cases in DP centres.
Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health revealed that 43% of the population believe the worst of COVID-19 is behind us. The survey is completed twice weekly by 1,270 adults.
Holohan described it as “a challenge” that 43% of the population believe the worst is behind. “The virus is still circulating, the risk is still there in our communities. The health service will continue to prepare and respond to the virus, the public are asked to stay the course and keep up the progress we have made.”
There is still concern among health officials that the easing of restrictions could lead to a rise in the reproductive rate of the virus.
Comments from GAA President, John Horan that no games would proceed if social distancing remained in place was no surprise, Dr Holohan stated. “We’ve advised every organisation to internalise the public health advice we give and come to their own assessments”.
Face masks are not expected to become compulsory, Dr Holohan commented.
