7 more COVID related deaths and 777 confirmed cases, including 15 in Kerry

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 7 additional deaths related to COVID-19. Of the deaths reported today, all occurred in October.

There has been a total of 1,878 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Thursday 22^nd October the HPSC has been notified of 777 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 15 in Kerry.

There is now a total of 55,261 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland; eight cases have been denotified.

The county figure for Kerry, which is valid up to midnight on Wednesday, has increased 22 to 877.

Of the cases notified today;

• 434 are men / 340 are women
• 66% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 33 years old
• 182 in Dublin, 81 in Galway, 44 in Wexford, 42 in Meath, 41 in Cork and the remaining 387 cases are spread across 21 remaining counties.

As of 2pm today 319 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 37 are in ICU. 24 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “15,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the last 14 days. It is vital for everyone with a recent diagnosis to self-isolate for the full 10 days to protect the people they live with, the people they love and people in their communities from this highly infectious disease. Self-isolate means stay at home, stay in your room as much as possible, stay away from other people, including those in your household.

“If you live with someone who has COVID-19 or you have been told that you are a close contact, you must restrict your movements for a full 14 days. Stay at home - don’t go to work, don’t go to school.

“I appeal to everyone to behave as though you are a close contact. Stay at home, other than for essential reasons. Now is the time to use our reserves of energy and dig deep in our efforts to follow the public health advice – keep your distance, wash your hands and wear a face covering. Play your part to break the chains of transmission across families, neighbours and communities.”

Today’s cases, 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and new cases in last 14 days (as of midnight 22 October 2020) (incidence rate based on Census 2016 county population)