An American university has predicted when Ireland might expect to hear about zero new coronavirus deaths
The first day where zero Covid-19 deaths has been projected by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent part of the University of Washington.
While the institute has been tracking the number of coronavirus cases, hospital admissions and deaths in America, it has recently issued projections for how the disease will affect the world population over the coming weeks and months.
MyLondon reports that by building statistical models of how the disease spreads, and factoring in the current rate of decline in cases due to social distancing and other measures, the institute estimates the first day where we might expect zero deaths in Ireland will be from June 24 onwards.
The group's analysis of its latest release states: "At the national level, most EEA countries appeared to have rapidly scaled up testing during or prior to rising estimated infections.
"Yet some countries have only recently closed gaps between estimated infections and testing including the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK, indicating a potential need to accelerate testing progress, especially as more countries move to ease previously implemented social distancing policies."
Find IHME's projections, data, methodology and notes for Ireland here.
The Department of Health announced yesterday that 10 more people died from coronavirus in Ireland - bringing the death toll in the country from the deadly virus to 1,497.
Health chiefs also confirmed a further 159 cases of COVID-19 with 23,401 confirmed cases in the country.
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health revealed that 84% of people who have been diagnosed to date with the virus have recovered.
He said: “We have been provided with additional data today regarding cases with underlying health conditions.
"Of 15,450 cases, where information is available, 53% had at least one underlying condition.
"The most common underlying conditions reported are chronic heart disease (15%), chronic respiratory disease (11%) and diabetes (6%).”
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “I would urge everyone to become familiar with the behaviours that we all need to maintain, including respiratory etiquette, physical distancing and handwashing.
"As we begin to think about easing restrictions these behaviours will become even more important.”
