COVID-19: 378 new cases and and one death confirmed yesterday in Ireland; NPHET has expressed concern about people ignoring public health guidelines

DUBLIN: The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has expressed its concern that the people of Ireland are ignoring the public health guidelines in order to socialise.

The Department of Health confirmed 378 new COVID-19 cases and one death in Ireland yesterday. This brings the total number of cases to 38,973. The death toll from the virus is 1,811.

Of the cases confirmed yesterday:

● 190 are woman and 186 are men

● 63% are under the age of 45 years

● 124 new cases confirmed in Dublin, 34 in Donegal, 23 in Louth, 19 in Cork, 19 in Limerick and the remaining 159 cases are spread across 20 other counties.

According to the HSE report, 249 COVID-19 patients were hospitalised, of which 31 are in ICU. An additional 5 hospitalisations were made in the past 24 hours.

The average daily five-day case count is rising and is now over 400 per day. “This is a worrying development which has persisted for the last few days,” Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said.

Dr. Tony Holohan says there are examples of some people gathering for social needs and ignoring important public health messages. “They are putting our collective progress at risk,” he added.

“We are also seeing number of outbreaks across the country. These include outbreaks in association with funerals. We understand that this is a difficult time for families but it is really important that we do everything we can to avoid the circumstances which promote transmission of the virus,” Dr. Holohan said.

“There have also been outbreaks associated with workplace settings. As we head into a new working week, we need stay at home other than for essential reasons and for personal exercise within 5km. Anyone who can work from home, should work from home,” the CMO added.