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There have been 253 more coronavirus cases and three more confirmed deaths, according to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). Of these cases, 116 are in Dublin.
Of the 253 cases, 143 are men and 108 are women, while 71% are under 45 years of age. Forty-five percent are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.
Sixty-one of the cases have been identified as community transmission.
Of the current cases, 116 are in Dublin, 22 in Kildare, 14 in Cork, 14 in Galway, 13 in Donegal, 10 in Limerick, 10 in Louth, nine in May, eight in Waterford, seven in Wicklow and the remaining 30 cases. They are located in Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Tipperary and Westmeath.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that Dublin is in a “very dangerous place” and without action, it could go back to the worst days of the crisis.
In a live address to the nation, Martin said he knew the havoc the virus was wreaking on the economy, sports, the arts and culture.
“I know, my first and most important duty is to protect you. This virus kills. It kills the elderly, but also the young, ”he said.
He said the new restrictions for Dublin would leave “a lot of people angry” but that it was necessary to protect life. Mr Martin spoke after the Government decided that as of midnight tonight, the city and county of Dublin would go to alert level three for the next three weeks.
North Ireland
163 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours of the report, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 8,943, including 763 in the last seven days. The Department of Health announced two more deaths with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of victims in the region to 575.
An SDLP MLA has confirmed that he will self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19. West Tyrone’s representative, Daniel McCrossan, closed his office to the public as a precaution. He received a positive test result on Friday, after testing negative for the virus earlier in the week.
“I learned early Monday that I had been in contact with someone showing symptoms of Covid-19. I immediately booked a test and informed my colleagues that as a result I would not be able to attend the plenary sessions of the Assembly this week, ”he said. “Late on Tuesday I received a negative test result. This was a great relief, but unfortunately at that time a member of my household had a positive test result and, according to public health guidelines, I have remained in isolation at home.
“Late on Wednesday I began to experience symptoms of the virus: headache, fever and a new cough. I booked another test for Thursday and received a positive result today. ”
McCrossan said his priority is keeping those around him safe.
“This virus spreads so easily that my household member and others who were tested had no symptoms at first. It is a terrifying reality. “This virus is still with us and I ask everyone to follow public health guidelines, maintain social distancing, continue to wash their hands, and get tested if they have any symptoms. “This is the only way we can keep infection rates low and protect the vulnerable and the elderly.” McCrossan said he will continue to work in isolation.
Six patients in the hematology ward at Craigavon Area Hospital have died with Covid-19, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said. Fourteen patients and 23 staff members tested positive for the disease. Three patients in a male medical ward at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry who tested positive had also died. Eleven patients and 21 staff members tested positive. The trust added: “Two staff members who tested positive are connected to the Daisy Hill cinemas. “Due to the impact on staffing, some lists of elective surgeries will be postponed early next week.” – PA
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