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Another 53 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the state, with no further deaths, NPHET confirmed Monday night.
This brings the total number of cases to 28,811, while the total number of deaths remains at 1,777.
In Northern Ireland, authorities reported 58 new cases and there were no more deaths.
Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that a decision had been made to lift the local closure measures in Co Kildare.
Localized lockdown measures were announced for Kildare, Laois and Offaly counties on August 7. Laois and Offaly were released from lockdown on August 21, but strict restrictions were maintained at Kildare.
Explaining the rationale for the government’s decision to lift the regional restrictions that apply in Co Kildare, Dr. Glynn said it was no longer proportionate to keep the measures in place given current trends.
The number of new cases in the county has dropped from 238 in the first week of August to 75 last week, and its percentage of all cases nationally has dropped from nearly half to 10 percent during this period.
Incidence of the disease in Kildare is still above the national average, but the trajectory is moving in the right direction, he said.
The willingness of the county people to “buy” the measures had protected them and their families, according to Dr. Glynn.
Imposing restrictions on meat plants in Kildare with sprouts, rather than the entire county, would not have worked, he said. Kildare had suffered a “double spike” of clusters, first on meat plants and then on homes.
Family members of a child with suspected Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate while the child awaits a test, public health authorities have warned.
However, the test results can take up to 72 hours to arrive, they said.
Family doctor Dr. Sumi Dunne urged parents not to send their children to school when they are not feeling well “outside of a stuffy or runny nose” and not to give them acetaminophen.
“Keep them at home, restrict their movements, and contact your GP,” he said at a National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) briefing on Monday.
Today’s decision to lift the additional Covid restrictions in County Kildare was only made possible by the people of Kildare – their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience. And it worked. The numbers in Kildare are now similar to the rest of the country. We must all remain vigilant.
– Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 31, 2020
I am delighted that today we can lift the additional public health measures in Kildare. I am aware that it has been a difficult time for the people and businesses of Kildare. Their efforts have saved lives in their communities and across the country. 1/2
– Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) August 31, 2020
“Until the child’s symptoms are gone, both the child and the caregiver must stay until they are able to return to school.”
The requirement to restrict one’s movements applies to all of the child’s close contacts, in effect to other family members, he clarified.
While the number of cases on Sunday and Monday has been low relative to recent weeks, Dr. Glynn said it was too early to read anything about the trend.
“This could go either way at the moment, but we are encouraged by the apparent stabilization in numbers in recent days.”
As for face coverings, she said too many people wore them “under the chin or with the nose exposed.” This did not provide protection and could increase the risk.
Face shields were acceptable, but “weren’t as good” as face shields, he advised.
Of the new cases statewide, 28 were men and 25 women. Three out of four corresponded to people under 45 years old.
About 27 of the 53 cases were associated with outbreaks or were close contacts of confirmed cases, while 14 cases involved community transmission.
Dublin accounted for 25 of the cases, Limerick 11, while the remaining 17 were located in Kildare, Longford, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Laois, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath.
There are currently 35 Covid-19 patients in the hospital, including six in intensive care.
Nphet also reported 22 new cases in the Roma community, six in direct provision and two among the homeless.
Referring to Kildare, Mr Martin tweeted at 4.18pm on Monday: “Today’s decision to lift additional Covid restrictions in County Kildare was only made possible by the people of Kildare – their extra effort, their sacrifices and their patience.
“And it worked. The numbers in Kildare are now similar to the rest of the country. We must all remain vigilant.”
County business and political leaders were informed of the decision Monday.
A government statement confirmed that the Kildare blockade “will be lifted with immediate effect” and public health measures in the county will be aligned with those introduced at the national level on August 18.
NPHET previously met and reviewed the epidemiological situation in Kildare, confirming that it continues to improve and is now very similar to that of the entire country.
“Since the epidemiological situation both at the national level and in Kildare is very similar, there is no longer a justification for a differentiated approach between Kildare and the rest of the country,” the statement added.
Kildare Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allan Shine said earlier that the government had told him today that the measures would be lifted tonight.
Meanwhile, high-level health sources confirmed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) had decided to recommend the lifting of the measures, and the matter was discussed today at an incorporeal Cabinet meeting.
“The news of the lifting of the blockade will be very welcome to the Kildare business community; cash flow continues to be a concern for those working in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, ”Shine said.
“The conversation should start now about how we live with Covid and how we work alongside Covid until a vaccine is found,” he said, adding that a promised government plan to live alongside Covid should be launched immediately “because companies cannot live with more restrictions ”.
Government MP James Lawless, Fianna Fáil TD of Kildare North, welcomed the development, saying it was a “relief and reward for the people of Kildare.”
“Two weeks ago we had incidence rates here that were among the highest in Europe. Now that has been removed and we have stopped the virus. It is a great relief to the people of Kildare who have seen three confinements in rapid succession and have made enormous sacrifices, both personally and commercially, ”he said.
Earlier, a Kildare County Councilor claimed that he had received confirmation that the county closure meant to combat a spike in Covid-19 cases would be lifted Monday night.
Robert Power, representing Fianna Fáil in Naas, posted on Facebook Monday afternoon: “I have just received confirmation that the government has decided to lift the additional restriction measures in Kildare.
“We are not out of the woods yet and our numbers are still high, but thanks to the additional sacrifices made by the people of Kildare, what could have been a very substantial wave of deaths has been reduced.
“This is great news in a week in which thousands of excited children finally return to some kind of normalcy. Let’s keep working for them! “
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