Covid-19 in numbers: Here’s everything we know today
The numbers are changing hourly.
As we head into the second weekend of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland, the HSE’s Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group has confirmed it expects that tighter rules on social interactions will likely be introduced after March 29th to slow the spread of the disease.
In the meantime, emergency Covid-19 legislation was passed in the Dáil last night.
To help protect yourself and stop the spread of #coronavirus wash your hands regularly, cover your cough and put used tissues in the bin.
Visit https://t.co/mxZuBrHiKK for information on #COVID19 #ItsInOurHands pic.twitter.com/ZHD8z2usVc
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) March 19, 2020
The Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020 will be signed into law by President Michael D Higgins over the coming days and provides new powers to ensure the continuity of emergency social welfare payments, as well as measures to detain a person who is infected with Covid-19 and refuses to self-isolate, if necessary.
Here’s today’s Covid-19 news in numbers:
191 new cases
The number of new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ireland as of March 19th. The total number of confirmed cases in the country has jumped by 52%, from 336 to 557, in one day. Three people have died from the disease.
31% of cases confirmed so far required hospitalisation.
One-third of cases are aged 15-34
Posting on Twitter, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohana appealed to younger people to avoid complacency: “Current data shows a third of confirmed cases in Ireland are aged between 15-34. This highlights the importance of younger people following social distancing measures, for their own sake and their loved ones.” he said.
80% of patients will make a full recovery
According to the HSE, 80% of people who have Covid-19 symptoms will have mild illness and make a full recovery within a few weeks. 14% of those who are affected will have severe symptoms and approximately 6% of patients will need critical care.
35% of cases spread through community transmission
According to the latest figures, community transmitted cases are at 35%. Close contact accounts for 21%, while foreign travel accounts for 43%. The remaining cases are still being investigated.
2 metres
As part of the delay phase of the coronavirus pandemic in Ireland, a distance of 1-2 metres between you and another person is considered to be close contact. The public has been asked to keep this in mind at all times.
40,000 applications to join the health service
The HSE’s ‘Be on Call for Ireland’ recruitment campaign has received 40,000 applications from health care workers willing to join the medical frontline as the country battles to keep hospitals running effectively.
Over 40K applications for “On Call for Ireland” in @HSELive Overwhelming support from business, communities, social groups, & individuals. We will shortly commence a really tough time but all of us in HSE are inspired by this response. Thank you all so much #COVID19
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 19, 2020
300 new Gardaí
More than 300 trainee Gardaí will be sworn in today at Templemore and sent to counties across the country to support public services and help in the response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
900 new ventilators
The HSE is expecting a delivery of 900 new ventilators to arrive in Ireland before the end of March. There are currently 1,229 of the machines, used to monitor the health of patients and support their breathing until they recover, in Irish hospitals.
51 extra ICU beds
As it stands, there are 255 ICU beds in the Republic of Ireland. Doctors have highlighted this number is not adequate for the current crisis and the Government has now approved a further 51 ICU beds for critical patients.
