Covid-19: Three deaths confirmed as cases in over-75s almost treble in two weeks

ireland
Covid-19: Three Deaths Confirmed As Cases In Over-75S Almost Treble In Two Weeks
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Digital Desk staff

A further three deaths and 84 new Covid-19 cases have been reported in the State, the Department of Health has confirmed.

There have now been 30,164 confirmed cases of the disease in the Republic, and 1,781 Covid-related deaths.

Of the new cases, 30% are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case. Eight cases have been identified as community transmission.

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Fifty-one of the cases are located in Dublin, six in Offaly, five in Kildare and 22 are spread across Cork, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wicklow.

Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said he was concerned at the continued spread of the disease in Dublin.

Epidemiologist Prof Philip Nolan said in the past 14 days there had been 89 cases recorded in people aged over 75.

He added: “That is close to a trebling compared with the preceding fortnight.”

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He said the rise in Dublin and Limerick was slower than at one point during the pandemic, but also worrying.

Increasing cases in Dublin was driving the increasing number of cases nationally – the rate at which the infection is spreading in the capital is estimated at about 1.4, he said.

“If nothing changes, if we do not act now to reduce our contacts and to be much more careful in how we manage our essential contacts the number of cases in Dublin would double every 14 days,” Prof Nolan added.

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“There is a very clear call to action here.”

Earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there was a lot of concern about the rising numbers of Covid-19 infections in Dublin and Limerick but ruled out immediate local restrictions for the two counties.

Mr Martin also confirmed the current nationwide coronavirus restrictions will be extended until September 15th.

They had been due to expire on September 13th but will be extended by two days until the publication of the government's long term Covid-19 roadmap, due to be launched next Tuesday.

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Mr Martin said the longer-term plan would “deal more comprehensively” with spikes in Covid-19 cases in the two counties.

“No specific decisions have been made in relation to those counties right now and NPHET [National Public Health Emergency Team] will continue to monitor the situation,” he told reporters at a press briefing at Government Buildings.

There will be a Covid-19 cabinet meeting on Thursday where this would be discussed “in great detail,” he said.

The message to people in Dublin and Limerick was to remain “very vigilant, socially distance, reduce your social contacts,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the North's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it was inevitable that local lockdowns will be imposed in Northern Ireland to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The Northern Executive is to meet on Thursday to discuss extensive coronavirus measures as case numbers rise in many areas.

First Minister Arlene Foster said the Executive may have to take similar interventions like those imposed in Glasgow, where households are banned from visiting others indoors.

The NI Department of Health said 607 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last seven days in the North.

Another 49 were diagnosed in the most recent 24-hour period, according to the latest daily figures.

There were no further deaths.

Additional reporting: PA

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