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43 further deaths, 359 new cases of coronavirus in Ireland

A FURTHER 43 people have died after contracting coronavirus in Ireland.

The Department of Health have confirmed that as of 6pm yesterday, 30 April, a total of 1,232 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have sadly passed away.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre have de-notified one death which was reported earlier.

An additional 359 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have also been confirmed as of 6pm, 30 April, bringing Ireland's total to 20,612.

As always, the HSE is working rapidly to identify any case contacts the newly confirmed cases may have had, in order to advise them and further slow the spread of the virus.

New figures released by the HPSC indicates that of all confirmed cases, 5,627 are health care workers-- 27% male and 73% female.

Of those 5,627 cases in health care workers, 210 required hospitalisation with the illness; 34 required treatment in Intensive Care Units, and five have sadly died.

Speaking at a press briefing yesterday in which the new figures were announced, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health, said:

"The latest report of COVID-19 cases in healthcare workers reveals that 34% of cases relate to nurses, healthcare assistants amount to 24% and cases among doctors is at 7%.

“Since the pandemic began in Ireland 72 nurses, 40 healthcare assistants, 22 doctors and 45 other allied healthcare workers have been hospitalised with COVID-19.”

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

"Healthcare workers place themselves at risk everyday during this pandemic. Supporting them and doing everything possible to protect them in their work is a priority not just for NPHET and the HSE, but society at large. The willingness of people to stay home and follow public health advice has been instrumental in this effort.”

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

"To understand the importance of our next steps we should look back to the pattern of the epidemic at the beginning of March. Within 10 days we went from 50 people in ICU to 140 people in ICU. Currently, there are 106 patients in ICU. If a similar surge occurred on top of our current ICU figure, we would find it very difficult to manage the treatment of patients. This reflects the sensitivity required in relaxing restrictions.”

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