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COVID-19: Five further deaths in Ireland

There have been five further coronavirus deaths in Ireland. Latest figures also show that 38 new ...
Jack Quann
Jack Quann

17.50 4 Jun 2020


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COVID-19: Five further deaths...

COVID-19: Five further deaths in Ireland

Jack Quann
Jack Quann

17.50 4 Jun 2020


Share this article


There have been five further coronavirus deaths in Ireland.

Latest figures also show that 38 new cases have been confirmed.

It brings the overall death toll from the virus to 1,664, with a total of 25,142 cases.

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Data of all cases as of midnight on Tuesday reveals:

  • 57% are women and 43% are men
  • The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
  • 3,311 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
  • Of those hospitalised, 410 cases have been admitted to ICU
  • 8,025 cases are associated with healthcare workers

Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,109 (48% of all cases), followed by Cork with 1,521 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,419 cases (6%).

Of those for whom transmission status is known community transmission is 39%, close contact accounts for 59%, and travel abroad makes up just 2%.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, said: "Further progress has been made throughout May in suppressing the spread of COVID-19.

"A downward trend is evident in the number of hospitalisations, ICU admissions and reported deaths.

"Adherence to public health personal behaviours - hand washing, physical distancing, cough/sneeze etiquette - is essential in avoiding an upsurge of infection in the future."

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said: "The reproductive number is now estimated to be between 0.4 and 0.7.

"The easing of restrictions in phase one has not negatively impacted the R-number, in no small part thanks to the collective behaviours of our population in preventing resurgence of the disease."

And Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, added: "It is reassuring to witness over the past number of weeks that the vast majority of people continue to work collectively to adhere to the public health guidance, engaging in social distancing and hygiene behaviours as a new way of life.

"This individual and collective action remains crucial as neither the virus nor how it transmits has changed and the vast majority of people remain susceptible."

It comes as parts of the Government's plan to re-open the economy are expected to be sped up on Friday.

The Government requested health officials give the go ahead to move forward some parts of the exit plan.

Cabinet ministers will meet Friday to approve moving to the second phase, which involves the re-opening of retail stores, small social visits in the home and an increase in the distance people can travel from their homes.

There is also going to be an increase in the number of people that can attend funerals, and a return to training for sports teams.

It comes amid criticism from politicians of the slow nature of the re-opening of the economy.

Ministers are meeting face to face on Thursday for the first time since March in a socially-distant meeting in Dublin Castle.

They will meet again on Friday to approve moving into phase two of the recovery plan.

Additional reporting: Sean Defoe


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