Drop in number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals as Ireland records first day with no new deaths since March 21

The number of patients being treated for Covid-19 in Irish hospitals has dropped again.

The positive news comes after Ireland recorded its first day with no coronavirus related deaths since March 21 on Monday.

According to the latest figures from the Health Protection Service Centre, 501 people are currently receiving care for either confirmed or suspected cases of the deadly bug.

This is a drop of 20 from numbers released on Sunday.

The hospitals with the most confirmed cases are the Mater with 55, Tallaght University Hospital with 42 and Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown with 23.

Outside Dublin, there are 16 confirmed cases in Limerick University Hospital, 14 in University Hospital Galway and 13 in Mayo University Hospital.

There were 501 patients with the virus in hospitals which is a 20 case reduction from figures released on Sunday. (Rolling News)

There are 116 critical care beds vacant in hospitals with only 48 patients in intensive care units with confirmed cases of coronavirus.

The number of available general hospital beds has increased by 240 and now stands at 975.

The Department of Health reported no coronavirus related deaths for a 24 hour period yesterday for the first time since the end of March.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed it as a “significant milestone.”

“First day with no reported Covid-19 deaths since March 21.  This is a day of hope.  We will prevail,” Mr Varadkar posted.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Today is a day for hope and for optimism. It is a day to thank our courageous and selfless frontline healthcare workers.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan described the news as “positive".

“It is a positive thing, obviously,” he told the Irish Mirror. 

“It’s much better for us to be reporting that there haven’t been any notified deaths than to be reporting a figure no matter how small.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, pictured at a Covid -19 update press conference at the Department of Health (Collins)

“The challenge that we had for this country in terms of Covid and its impact on disease incidence, hospitalisations and its impact on mortality is coming to an end, it is slowing down.”

However the CMO again cautioned against complacency. The death toll from the virus since the first victim died on March 11th is 1,606 - including 1,005 care home residents.