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There have been five deaths related to Covid-19 and 617 new cases of the disease reported to the Department of Health in the last 24 hours.
This brings the cumulative number of cases here to 40,703, while the death toll is 1,821. This includes denotation of a previously confirmed death.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said: “The disease profile continues to deteriorate. There have been 32 additional hospitalizations and eight ICU admissions in the last 24 hours.”
“We continue to see a large number of cases every day.
“It is vital that we stop transmission of the virus now.
“NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) continues to monitor the situation. However, it is early individual action that is needed to suppress the virus.
“Please follow the public health advice and do your part to make an impact on the disease.”
Of the cases reported today, 123 are in Dublin, 107 in Cork, 42 in Meath, 36 in Kerry, 35 in Galway and the remaining 274 cases are in 21 counties.
Ten are men, 307 are women and 73% are under 45 years of age.
A third (33%) are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while 72 cases have been identified as community transmission.
The latest figures come as the Cabinet Covid-19 subcommittee considers the issue of incremental fines to enforce regulations related to the pandemic.
Earlier today, the highest daily number of new positive coronavirus cases was recorded in Northern Ireland.
The increase of 1,080 cases brings the total number of cases there to 18,190. There were no more deaths, and the death toll remained at 587.
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann said the situation was “dire and growing, daily, if not hourly.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One, Prime Minister Arlene Foster said it was “critically important” that financial supports are available to those who are adversely affected if additional Covid-19 restrictions are implemented in Northern Ireland.
The World Health Organization also reported a record one-day increase in global coronavirus cases with a total increase of 338,779 in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the final report of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 recommended that the Joint Agriculture and Marine Committee and the Health Committee address a number of problems that have arisen with the spread of the virus in the meat industry.
He said Covid-19 compliance officers should be appointed at all meat plants and advised that the role of Department of Agriculture veterinary inspectors at meat plants be examined.
Also today, a GP in Co Clare said his practice doesn’t have enough flu shots to meet demand.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Dr. Maire Finn said there was great public acceptance for the first time, which she described as “wonderful” but cautioned: “We can’t keep up with the demand.”
Waiting lists go up again
There has been a small increase in overall hospital waiting lists, now numbering more than 829,300 patients, new figures show.
This represents an increase of around 1,860 patients last month, compared to August.
The number of people waiting to be seen at an outpatient clinic at the end of September was 612,083 compared to 610,996 the previous month.
Figures for September were released this afternoon by the National Deal Purchase Fund.
Sinn Féin Health spokesperson David Cullinane expressed concern about the growth of waiting lists and the potential for a further increase in Covid-19 cases that impede elective care.
“The massive growth in waiting lists in recent months is very concerning,” he said.
“Despite the best efforts of our healthcare workers operating at full capacity, waiting lists and waiting times have increased again this month.
“As medical experts and ICU management made clear last night on Prime Time, the capacity in critical care units is dangerously low. The overflow augmentation capacity is there, but it is not safely staffed.”
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