Two more Covid-19 deaths as the national total reaches 1,564

There were two more deaths from Covid-19 confirmed in the Republic tonight, with a total of 235 new cases.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 1,564, 11 of them in Donegal.
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Department of Health statement in full –
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that two patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died.
The patients are a female and in the east of the country, with an underlying health condition and a male, in the east of the country.
There have now been nine COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 235 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, as at 1pm, Wednesday 25 March.
There are now 1,564 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
Today’s data from HPSC, as of midnight, Monday 23nd March (1,164 cases), reveals:
·        55% are male and 45% are female, with 63 clusters involving 289 cases
·        The median age of confirmed cases is 45 years
·        305 cases (26%) have been hospitalised
·        Of those hospitalised, 39 cases have been admitted to ICU
·        283 cases (24%) are associated with healthcare workers
·        Dublin has the highest number of cases at 559, (57% of all cases) followed by Cork with 133 cases (11%)
·        Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 49%, close contact accounts for 23%, travel abroad accounts for 28%
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Our data showed yesterday that only 6% of our tests so far returned positive; so for every 100 people we test we are only finding 6 people with COVID-19. In light of this, our case definition changed.
“Changing case definition is a standard practice in managing pandemics. Ultimately, we want our 6% detected rate to increase, we want to find as many people as possible with COVID-19, isolate them and contain the spread.”
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “We are seeking to prioritise those who are to be tested with a focus in the short-term on those who are vulnerable and those who are at the highest risk to exposure.”
Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE said; “There has been ongoing engagement with GPs over the past 24 hours. GPs are best placed to advise individuals with symptoms whether they need a test or not. Ultimately, the test has no impact on the clinical course of this disease and the priority for anyone with symptoms is to isolate themselves.”
Information is available on HSE.ie or by calling the HSE helpline 1850 24 1850
The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet again on Thursday 26^th March, to review Ireland’s ongoing preparedness and response to COVID-19.
Department of Health’s COVID-19 Information Dashboard; providing latest case information.