Government warns of ‘worrying’ trends by confirming 188 new cases



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Updated 20:54

The government warns of “worrying” trends in the increase in Covid-19 cases across the country.

It has identified Louth, Waterford and Donegal as counties of particular concern, while it is also concerned about the spread of the virus in Leitrim, Offaly, Kildare, Limerick and Wicklow.

Previously, the Taoiseach said that moving other counties to Level Three would remain under consideration.

Meanwhile, government official Liz Canavan issued this advice to people across the country:

“For those of you in Dublin, we ask that you abide by the restrictions. A short action now to stop the spread of the virus.”

“For those outside of Dublin, I’d like to remind you of the interim medical director’s advice: plan to see half of the people you saw last week.

“When you meet, so be safe and keep your distance.”

Tonight, the Health Department confirmed another 188 cases of Covid-19.

No new deaths from the virus were announced, meaning that the number of Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland remains 1,792.

With tonight’s new cases, there are now a total of 33,121 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Public health advice

Of the cases announced tonight: 96 are men and 90 are women, 71% are under 45 years old, and 36% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.

They also confirmed that 19 cases have been identified as community transmission.

Again, the majority of cases are in Dublin with 76, while Cork and Donegal recorded the next highest number with 25 and 21 new cases.

Elsewhere, there were 16 in Kildare, 13 in Galway, seven in Roscommon and seven in Waterford, with the remaining 23 cases spread across 12 counties.

As of this morning, there are currently 90 people in Irish hospitals with the virus and another 16 people in ICUs.

Speaking about today’s numbers, Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Medical Director, said:

“The spirit of the response to COVID-19 since the beginning of this pandemic has been solidarity and cooperation. While this pandemic is an exceptionally challenging time for all of us, we can and will support each other to overcome this.

“Encourage your family and friends to heed the public health advice. Now more than ever, we have to work collectively. Our individual actions count at the population level.

“Each of us putting our two cents in our daily lives – dividing our social contacts in half, working from home, keeping our distance, covering our faces, washing our hands – is very important. These small positive steps, taken together, are our best and strongest defense against the virus. “

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