DUBLIN: The death toll from COVID-19 has risen to more than 2,000 in Ireland. The Department of Health yesterday confirmed 12 additional deaths related to the coronavirus, taking the total number of fatalities to 2,006.
A further 379 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the country bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 69,058.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said it is sad and worrying that more than 2,000 people have died of coronavirus in Ireland. Minister Donnelly said this is a time to reflect and to acknowledge the huge loss of life that the virus has caused.
“Our thoughts and prayers and sympathies are with all of the families, friends and colleagues of everyone who has died. Not only have we lost now more than 2,000 people to COVID but families and friends have not been able to mourn in the way we normally would. So it’s been even more difficult for so many people right around the country,” said Health Minister.
However, he said there was a huge drop in the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the second wave. This is good news, and there’s hope, he added.
Of the cases notified yesterday:
● 203 are women, 174 are men
● Median age is 36
● 64% are aged under 45
● 116 cases confirmed in Dublin, 38 are in Donegal, 30 were confirmed in Meath, 27 in Cork, 22 in Limerick, 22 in Louth. The remaining 124 cases are spread across all other counties.
Health officials said that 282 people were hospitalised with COVID-19, a rise of 10 on yesterday. An additional 24 patients were hospitalised in the last 24 hours.
It is reported that the number of people in intensive care units has dropped from 34 yesterday to 33 today.
The 14-day incidence rate is 119.9 per 100,000 population, which has remained unchanged since yesterday.
“We are learning more and more about this virus, our clinicians are getting better and better at treating people who contract COVID. There are some very hopeful vaccines coming and they seem to be coming early next year,” Minister Donnelly said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said it is important that people work together to eliminate the virus.
“Today we sadly report over 2,000 deaths associated with Covid-19 to date in this country. This pandemic has impacted, directly and indirectly, on families and communities all across Ireland”, CMO said. “For the next two weeks, work from home, stay at home and follow public health advice,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Donnelly said, the next two weeks will be crucial in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and getting out of level 5 restrictions by the end November.