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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said that the fact that just over 2,000 people have died from Covid-19 in Ireland is a sad and sobering milestone.
The Health Department reported an additional 12 coronavirus-related deaths today, bringing the total number of deaths to 2,006.
Another 379 new cases of the virus have been confirmed. Seven cases have been reported, meaning that there have been a total of 69,058 confirmed cases in Ireland.
Donnelly said: “Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to all the families, friends and colleagues of all those who have died. Not only have we now lost more than 2,000 people to Covid, but families and friends have not been able to cry like we normally would. So it’s been even more difficult for so many people across the country. “
He said it is a time to reflect and acknowledge the enormous loss of life that the virus has caused.
However, he added: “There is good news and there is hope. There was a big reduction in the number of people who died from Covid in the second wave. We are learning more and more about this virus, our doctors are getting better and better at treating women. people who get Covid. There are some very hopeful vaccines and it looks like they will arrive early next year. “
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said that the fact that just over 2,000 people have died from Covid-19 is a sad and sobering milestone that has been reached | Read more: https://t.co/61eTlj2NA8 pic.twitter.com/qYadtZ1LlY
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 18, 2020
As of 2pm today, 282 people with Covid-19 were being treated at the hospital, an increase of 10 compared to yesterday.
The number of people in intensive care units has dropped from 34 yesterday to 33 today.
Another 24 people were hospitalized in the last 24 hours.
Of the cases announced today, 174 are men and 203 are women. The average age is 36 years and 64% are under 45 years of age.
Dublin accounts for 116 of the cases, 38 are in Donegal, 30 were confirmed in Meath, 27 in Cork, 22 in Limerick, 22 in Louth. The remaining 124 cases are spread across all other counties.
The 14-day incidence rate is 119.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is unchanged from yesterday.
Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said it was important that people continue to work together to suppress the virus.
“Today we sadly report more than 2,000 deaths associated with Covid-19 to date in this country. This pandemic has impacted, directly and indirectly, on families and communities across Ireland,” he said.
“It is important that we continue to work together if we want to suppress this virus and protect as many people as possible. For the next two weeks, work from home, stay home and follow public health advice.”
Minister Donnelly echoed the comments, saying that Ireland must stay the course in relation to the restrictions currently in place.
“Thanks to the huge sacrifices that people are making across Ireland during Level 5, we managed to roll back the virus. The first three weeks were really good. We stopped in the fourth week. I think people were fatigued and who could blame them, but for the next two weeks now we have to redouble and roll back this virus in order to open the country in December. “
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The Taoiseach has told his party friends that people will be able to enjoy a pleasant, safe and meaningful Christmas.
Micheál Martin said the government will make a decision next week on how the country will exit the Level 5 restrictions in early December.
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