Ten people were confirmed dead from coronavirus yesterday – more than doubling the death toll overnight.
The shocking tragedies mark an escalation in Ireland’s war on the deadly Covid-19 bug. The number killed in the Republic now stands at 19 with a further 10 in the North.
As Taoiseach Leo Varadkar led a standing ovation in the Dail for HSE workers on the frontline of the pandemic, his Chief Medical Officer was painting a bleak picture of what lies ahead.
Dr Tony Holohan said: “We expect to see more deaths – we are only at the beginning of the curve. This is an infection that is going to increase. It is different to pandemics experienced before and the mortality we expect will be higher than it would be with seasonal flu.
“We predict the deaths will be around 1% of those diagnosed. The number of cases continues to increase and so will deaths.
“We have to prepare properly for the eventuality that might arise.
“We are concerned about outbreaks in nursing homes and healthcare centres because those people are very vulnerable.”
Nine of the 10 new deaths confirmed – three women and seven men – were in the east of the country, while there was one in the south.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre also confirmed a fresh surge in confirmed cases – a further 255, which means 1,819 are infected in the Republic – a quarter of them
healthcare workers.
The shocking data shows the median age of the 19 who have died so far is 79 and many of the victims were in long-term hospital care or nursing homes.
A total of 47 of the 1,819 patients are being treated in intensive care units.
The figures show just over half of the cases came from community transmission – people passing the virus on to each other in public, with 22% down to close contact with an infected person and 27% relating to overseas travel.
Dr Holohan added there are plans to provide a clearer breakdown of deaths by demographics and location as they gather more data.
And Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said: “We are aware Covid-19 is impacting and reshaping daily life for everyone.
“We can see from the data people are most concerned about their family and friends. If you look after yourself, restrict movement and follow advice, you will ultimately protect them.”
At the same briefing, data was also released of a new Health Department survey showing the public are, for the most part, taking measures seriously.
It revealed 81% of people are social distancing while in queues and 66% are coughing into their elbows.
The responses from 1,270 participants also showed 65% of people were worried about the economy while 31% are concerned about the risk to their jobs.
More than half a million people around the world have now been diagnosed with the deadly disease.
There were 523,163 infected as Italy and the US surged towards over-taking China’s total of 81,782 cases as the worst-hit country. Spain is also badly hit with almost 60,000 cases confirmed.
Meanwhile, HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry HSE Chief Clinical Officer, reminded the briefing in Dublin’s Lower Baggot Street, that the real fight against the disease would be won by the people.
He said: “While the HSE is engaged in extensive preparations for COVID-19, the more we as individuals take personal responsibility to interrupt the spread of the virus, the greater impact we can have on protecting our vulnerable people and saving lives.”
A delivery of vital personal protective equipment is expected from China on Sunday.
Dr Henry added: “There is a shortage of PPE equipment worldwide so it is a matter of conserving what we can, unless it is absolutely necessary.”
