WE'RE WITH YOU: Country unites to show support for frontline medical workers
Thousands of people across Meath joined in a poignant moment of support and solidarity with HSE frontline workers battling the Covid-19 pandemic in our hospitals and healthcare facilities.
People in Navan, Kells, Trim and across the county came out to their doorsteps, windows and balconies to clap, cheer, and bang pots and pans to show their appreciation for the doctors, nurses and staff treating over 1,819 patiets on a day when the death rate from Covid-19 jumped from 9 to 19.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre today been confirrmed that an additional ten patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland have died: 3 female and 7 males.
Nine patients were based in the east of the country and one in the south.
The median age of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who have died is 79 years, 68% are male and 32% are female.
There have now been 19 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 255 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, as at 1pm, Thursday 26 March.
There are now 1,819 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. There are 27 confirmed cases in Meath.
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
VIDEO: With a big thanks to Cal Mooney, Audrey Sheehan Gibson, Paddy Keegan and Seamus Farrelly.
Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Tuesday 24th March (1,383 cases), reveals:
55% are male and 45% are female, with 66 clusters involving 295 cases
the median age of confirmed cases is 46 years
40 cases (25%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 47 cases have been admitted to ICU
321 cases (23%) are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 774, (56% of all cases) followed by Cork with 154 cases (11%)
Of those for whom transmission status is known; community transmission accounts for 51%, close contact accounts for 22%, travel abroad accounts for 27%
Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that while 35% of people are worried about their personal health, 77% of people are worried about the health of their family and friends.
The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, which is conducted twice weekly, reveals:
66% of people say they are coughing into their elbow
81% say they are physical distancing when they are in a queue
65% of people are worried about the economy
32% of people are worried about their employment status
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We are only at the beginning of the curve. We need every citizen to heed the advice and measures put in place to protect all of us.”
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We are aware COVID-19 is impacting and reshaping daily life for everyone. We can see from the data that people are most concerned about their family and friends. If you look after yourself, restrict movement and follow advice, you will ultimately protect them.”
Dr. Breda Smyth, HSE Director of Public Health, said; “Protection from COVID-19 is literally in our hands. It is important that we continue to wash our hands and practice cough and sneeze hygiene constantly.”
Dr Colm Henry, HSE Chief Clinical Officer, said; “While the HSE is engaged in extensive preparations for COVID-19, the more we as individuals take personal responsibility to interrupt the spread of the virus, the greater impact we can have on protecting our vulnerable people and saving lives.”
The Dail, sitting for a 12 hour session to debate new emergency legislation aiming to reduce the spread of the disease and mitigate the adverse economic consequences it has created paused at 8pm to show their support.
Speaking in the Dail earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the emergency would get worse before it gets better and he said people were afraid and were looking for reassurance from politicians.
he added that "although the challenges are great we are prepared to face them and he said we will be able to pay back what we borrow as a nation."
He said today's legislation would do a number of things including freeze rents and allow the return of health care professionals.
Meanwhile emergency legislation needed to deal with the crisis was passed in the Dail on Thursday night.