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5 healthcare workers have died after contracting coronavirus in Ireland

FIVE HEALTH care workers have died after contracting Covid-19 in Ireland, the Department of Health have confirmed.

In figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre yesterday, new data reveals that as of midnight on Tuesday, 28 April, a total of 5,627 healthcare workers have been diagnosed with Covid-19.

The frontline workers, who would have contracted the virus while carrying out essential work, are believed to be 27% males and 73% females.

34% are nurses, 24% are allied healthcare professionals,24% are healthcare assistants, 7% are doctors and 5% are porters, according to the data released by the Department of Health.

210 healthcare workers required hospitalisation from the illness, with 34 becoming seriously ill and requiring treatment in Intensive Care Units.

Tragically, 5 healthcare workers diagnosed with Covid-19 have passed away since the pandemic began.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health, speaking yesterday at a press briefing with the National Public Health Emergency Team, expanded on the tragic figures.

"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%," he said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan announced the tragic news at a press briefing yesterday Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

“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 that looking after frontline workers was a "priority" as "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.”

See More: Coronavirus, Covid-19, Healthcare Workers, RIP