Seven more deaths and 777 Covid cases reported this evening

There have been seven deaths and 777 confirmed cases of Covid 19 reported this evening by the Department of Health.
It brings the total number of cases to 55,261, with 1,878 Covid related deaths.
20 of the new cases were in Donegal, which now has an incidence rate of 312.6 per 100,000 people, just above the national figure of 306.1
 

Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 7 additional deaths related to COVID-19. Of the deaths reported today, all occurred in October.

There has been a total of 1,878 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 22^nd October the HPSC has been notified of 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 55,261* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. 

Of the cases notified today;

• 434 are men / 340 are women
• 66% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 33 years old
• 182 in Dublin, 81 in Galway, 44 in Wexford, 42 in Meath, 41 in Cork and the

remaining 387 cases are spread across 21 remaining counties.

As of 2pm today 319 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 37 are in ICU. 24 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “15,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the last 14 days. It is vital for everyone with a recent diagnosis to self-isolate for the full 10 days to protect the people they live with, the people they love and people in their communities from this highly infectious disease. Self-isolate means stay at home, stay in your room as much as possible, stay away from other people, including those in your household.

“If you live with someone who has COVID-19 or you have been told that you are a close contact, you must restrict your movements for a full 14 days. Stay at home – don’t go to work, don’t go to school.

“I appeal to everyone to behave as though you are a close contact. Stay at home, other than for essential reasons. Now is the time to use our reserves of energy and dig deep in our efforts to follow the public health advice – keep your distance, wash your hands and wear a face covering. Play your part to break the chains of transmission across families, neighbours and communities.”

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

ENDS//

*Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 8 confirmed cases. The figure of 55,261 confirmed cases reflects this.

Today’s cases, 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and new cases in last 14 days (as of midnight 22 October 2020) (incidence rate based on Census 2016 county population)

The lowest national 14-day incidence rate was on 3^rd July 2020 when the rate was 2.98 cases per 100,000 population.