*Photograph: John Mangan
Co Clare is two weeks free of any additional cases of COVID-19.
Department of Health officials have confirmed that Co Clare has now gone fourteen days without recording an increase in cases of COVID-19. A total of 369 individuals have tested positive for the virus since its outbreak here in March. The latest figures for Co Clare are as of Tuesday (June 23rd).
Nationally, the death toll has increased by one to 1,727. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has also been informed of a further 11 cases meaning that in total 25,405 persons have been diagnosed with Coronavirus as two cases have also been de-notified.
Thursday’s scheduled press briefing was cancelled at two hours notice with no explanation given by the Department of Health as to why.
A meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team took place earlier on Thursday. Dr Tony Holohan outlined, “NPHET noted today that over a third of new cases in the past 14 days are under 35 years of age. It also noted a number of EU countries reported an increase in new cases.
“7% of cases notified in Ireland over the past fortnight have been associated with travel. NPHET expressed a clear view that overseas travel poses a risk to importation of the disease and to further transmission in Ireland. The ECDC has recently warned that the pandemic is not over. Ireland has made significant gains in suppressing COVID-19. Our task over the coming weeks and months is maintaining these gains,” the Chief Medical Officer added.
Dr Ronan Glynn warned, “COVID-19 is accelerating globally with 4 million cases recorded in the last month”. He added, “Considering the international experience with the disease, we cannot afford complacency. Continue to be aware of the risks and follow the public health advice designed to protect individuals.”
