It’s been a week of uncertainty in terms of Covid-19 infections.

Now Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn is asking the Irish public to double down on basic measures to prevent the spread of the disease, mainly hand washing and social distancing.

A further 92 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the Department of Health figures last night. There have been no further deaths.

Of the new cases reported yesterday evening, 24 are in Dublin, 24 are in Kildare, eight are in Limerick, six are in Carlow, six are in Kilkenny, five are in Meath and five are in Clare. The remaining 14 cases are in Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow.

The ratio of men to women is 43/48 and 72 per cent of the patients are under 45 years of age. Outbreaks or close contacts account for 43 of the new cases, while 12 cases have been identified as community transmission.

“We expected that this week the daily figures we report would rise and fall. NPHET is closely monitoring all trends, patterns and changes in the data, including not just case numbers but locations, age groups, and sources of transmission,” said Dr Glynn.

‘Hold firm’

“We are asking those in Kildare, Laois and Offaly to hold firm and stay with us in the measures introduced last weekend. As today’s figures show, cases are also occurring in several other counties around the country. This is still about a united, whole of country approach.

“Avoiding crowded places, limiting social contacts, working from home where possible, not attending house parties, keeping 2m distance, washing your hands and wearing face coverings – all of these safe behaviours matter, and all of them add up to make a significant difference.”

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) August 13, 2020

“The only way we can effectively suppress Covid-19 across Ireland in the long term is if we act together to protect each other.”

Dr Glynn said he accepted that living with Covid-19 has “undoubtedly been difficult” and that the pandemic has adversely impacted on people in many different ways.

“We know that what the public health advice asks you to do can be difficult, but we are asking you to stay the course with it. Individual actions break the chains of transmission of this virus.” he said.

“Avoiding crowded places, limiting social contacts, working from home where possible, not attending house parties, keeping 2m distance, washing your hands and wearing face coverings – all of these safe behaviours matter, and all of them add up to make a significant difference.”

‘Wearing is caring’

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly reiterated the advice on wearing face coverings indoors.

“Any of us could get infected with Covid or infect others.” he tweeted.

“But we can ALL make choices that help to limit transmission. Masks are a powerful weapon. Wearing is caring.”