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Another 42 cases of coronavirus were reported in the state on Sunday.
The National Public Health Emergencies Team (NPHET) confirmed that there were no more deaths from Covid-19 for the eighth consecutive day, leaving the death toll at 1,777. It confirmed an additional 42 cases, bringing the total since the pandemic began at 28,760. This is the lowest number of confirmed daily cases since August 12.
There were 142 new cases and no more deaths were reported on Saturday.
Of the cases reported Sunday, NPHET said 20 were men, 22 women and 71 percent were under 45 years old.
Fifteen were confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or close contacts of a confirmed case, while six cases were due to community transmission.
More than half of the cases occurred in Dublin (24), six in Limerick and the remaining 12 in Carlow, Clare, Galway, Kildare, Longford, Offaly and Sligo counties.
HSE CEO Paul Reid said on Saturday that it had been “six long months” since the state’s first case of Covid-19 was confirmed.
“A lot of learning, pain, grief, pain and frustration.
“But there have also been inspiring responses from the public and healthcare workers,” he tweeted.
“A more difficult phase now, but the same virus.”
In a statement, Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn said Saturday “marks six months since our first case of Covid-19. It has been a very difficult time for many and few have been affected in any way by the negative effects of this pandemic ”.
Dr. Glynn said during that time “our frontline workers have stepped up time and time again. But the basis of all this has been that each person has played their part by making the right decisions, many times, every day. Together, we have broken the drive chains and flattened the curve, ”he said.
“As cases increase again, it is these same behaviors that will once again make a difference, protecting ourselves, our families and our communities,” he said.
The latest case numbers were announced after one of the country’s leading public health experts warned a second national closure could not be ruled out if there was an increase in Covid-19.
Dr. Cillian de Gascun, chairman of the NPHET advisory group, said that the reintroduction of stay-at-home restrictions would be avoided “if possible,” but have been shown to work to suppress the spread of the virus.
A warning from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly followed Wednesday that the country was close to a second national lockdown because the state was at “a tipping point.”
As the society freed itself from lockdown restrictions, cases have risen steadily since mid-July, prompting the acting Dr. Glynn to issue warnings about the increase, particularly among young people.
While alarms were sounded by the increase in cases, there has been a drop in the number of people admitted to the hospital and the number of deaths.
There are currently five people in Intensive Care Units and 30 people in hospital with the disease.
The government said on Friday that Gardaí will receive new powers to shut down bars that violate Ireland’s coronavirus rules.
Fines of up to € 2,500 or a maximum of six months in prison will be the sanction if bars that violate social distancing regulations refuse to close for one day.
Closure orders can be issued by a district court resulting in the closure of a pub for up to 30 days.
The plan to reopen the inns for drinks only has been suspended again as the government tries to contain the cases.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar announced a 16 million euro support package for pubs, bars and clubs that are enduring a long wait to lift the shutters.
New initiatives included exemption from court fees and associated stamp and excise taxes related to license renewal for bars and other alcoholic beverages and exemption from special tax on alcoholic beverage business licenses at this year’s renewal. . – Additional reports: PA
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