217 cases in a single day; highest daily number of Covid cases since May

Tuesday, 1 Sep 2020 reported the highest daily number of Covid cases since May. 217 new cases were reported on the day and raised the total number of cases in Ireland to 29,025.

Out of the latest cases, 103 are men and 113 are women. 70% of the cases were of people under the age of 45.

103 people from Dublin, 225 in Kildare, 17 in Limerick, 17 in Tipperary, seven in Waterford, seven in Wicklow, six in Clare and five in Louth. The reset 30 are located in Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath and Wexford.

Further deaths were not reported and which means that the death toll remains at 1,777.

Dr Ronan Glynn, the Acting Chief Medical Officer said that though the number of cases reported on the day is the highest daily figures since May, the five-day moving average remains relatively stable at 115 cases per day. But he still believes that this is a substantial number of cases.

“I urge everyone to double down on their efforts now – wash hands regularly, physically distance, wear face coverings where appropriate, avoid crowded areas, know the symptoms, isolate, contact a GP if you have any concerns.” He said.

49 fresh cases were reported int the Northern Ireland and that raised the total number of confirmed cases to 7,294. Here also no new deaths were reported so the deaths remain at 560.

Currently there are 18 patients in hospitals in the Northern Ireland and three are in critical condition.

There has been a small increase in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in hospitals in the Republic. 35 patients were present in the hospitals overnight with covid-19 and six of these are in the ICU at the moment.

According to the HSE there is a rise in the number of suspected cases also, it has increased to 109 from 70. Where 11 of these patients in ICU.

At the same time the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation reports that there have been certain overcrowding incidents occurring at some hospital’s emergency wards.

As per the report there are 43 patients waiting at Cork University Hospital and 32 at University Hospital Limerick last day.  

Overall, the INMO says there are 206 patients waiting in emergency departments, or on wards for admission to a bed on the previous day.

Flu vaccination programme

The authorities have decided to expand the flu vaccination programs across the country. The Department of Health made it clear that the major aim of the program is to protect the people of the country from any kind of double breakout during this pandemic season.

The major aim of the extended programme is to decrease the overall flu spread in the community and that way they could reduce the flu related admissions to the hospitals. The expanded vaccination program is estimated to cost €65m.

The healthcare workers and other risk groups will get the vaccines free of cost. Children from the age of 2-12 will also get the vaccine for free.

Stephen Donnelly, the Minister for health said that the health service is entering a challenging winter period in the middle of the global pandemic. He also said that it is important to make collective efforts to limit the impact on the health service over the coming months.

“The vaccine will be available from your GP or your pharmacist, and I would urge everyone to get the vaccine this winter.” He said.