Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team - Thursday 30 July

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 1 patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland has died.

There has now been a total of 1,763* COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. (*Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 2 deaths. The figure of 1,763 reflects this.)

As of midnight Wednesday 29 July, the HPSC has been notified of 85 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 26,027 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today:

• 53 cases are men and 32 are women
• 68% are under 45 years of age
• 26 cases are located in Kildare, 18 in Dublin, 11 in Clare, 9 in Laois, 7 in Limerick, 4 in Meath and the remainder are spread across 7 other counties
• 39% of today’s cases are associated with close contacts of a confirmed case
• half are associated with outbreaks

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today (Thursday 30 July) to review Ireland’s response and preparedness to COVID-19.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said:

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said:

Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and Integrated Care Lead, HSE said:

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for getting COVID-19:

• Distance – The risk of getting COVID-19 increases as the distance between you and others gets smaller. Keep 2 metres apart where possible
• Activity – How you spend time with people and what you do with them can increase your risk. Follow the government’s Stay Safe Guidelines when spending time with others
• Time – The more time you spend in close contact with other people can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Keep track of who you spend time with and how
• Environment – Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. Where possible, meet with others outdoors. If this is not possible, keep windows and doors open when meeting others inside
• Symptoms – Know the symptoms. If you have them self-isolate and contact your GP immediately

Public Health Advice for all citizens is available here

Know the symptoms of COVID-19

They are:

• a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
• a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• flu-like symptoms

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.

Note:

In the event that a person tests positive for COVID-19 and hasn't been abroad or had contact with another confirmed case in Ireland, that's known as community transmission.

In the event that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 can be linked to another confirmed case in Ireland, that's known as close contact.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.

Note: The Health Protection Surveillance Centre have advised that in the process of validating data and reviewing addresses, county totals may change due to cases being reassigned to another county.

• All statistics measured at midnight on Tuesday 28 July.