Yesterday, 217 cases of the virus were confirmed, the highest daily increase since May. Image: PA
Eighty-nine additional cases of Covid-19 have been reported to the Department of Health today while one new death from the virus has been recorded.
At least one of those cases is in Waterford. The majority of today's cases are in Dublin and Limerick while 21 cases are spread across 13 counties including Waterford.
- 53 cases are in Dublin
- 15 in Limerick
- The remaining 21 cases are Clare, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow
Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; "Every single contribution and effort you make counts to the national push to curb the effects of this infectious virus on our society. Every time you take responsibility to keep your social contacts low, avoid a crowded place or get-together, know that you are making a vital difference. It is individual action built upon individual action that will get us through this pandemic."
"The effort to suppress COVID-19 begins in our own homes. Many confirmed cases in the past weeks and months have been close contacts of confirmed cases. It is in our own household through regular handwashing, cough and sneeze hygiene, cleaning surfaces, limiting the number of visitors and isolating as soon as we experience any concerning symptoms that we can make the biggest impact."
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; "A close analysis of case numbers and patterns over the last week suggests that the epidemic is growing very slowly in many counties across Ireland, including Dublin. A large number of cases are associated with outbreaks in private houses and families. The R number is just above 1, perhaps as high as 1.2, so the virus is circulating in the community at levels we don't want to see. This means we need to remain focused on our shared national priorities, which are the safe reopening of schools, continuing to resume non-COVID healthcare and protecting the most vulnerable to this dangerous disease."
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; "The opening of schools is an important milestone in our management of this pandemic. Evolving knowledge from elsewhere provides some assurance to parents of children who are returning to school regarding the behaviour of this virus among children and the risks of transmission between children. We appreciate the hard work of teachers, parents, guardians, principals and school staff in getting us to this much-anticipated milestone.
"What we can do to help this effort is to play our own part as individuals - physically distance from others at all times, avoid congregated settings, and wear a face-covering where appropriate."
"The ongoing resumption of healthcare services is also down to our individual actions in the community. To protect our healthcare staff and patients, we need everyone to keep their social contacts low and remember to physically distance when meeting those from other households. We all need to make these safe behaviours a part of our daily routines."
Earlier today, it was confirmed that a second Dublin primary school has sent students home to isolate after a pupil tested positive for the virus.
The school in west Dublin alerted parents, identifying the majority of the child's class a close contacts.
Speaking to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 response earlier today, general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland, Michael Gillespie said that the union has received reports that some schools are not adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Primary schools reopened last week despite concerns that allowing children back to school may lead to an increase in Covid-19 cases.
The reopening of schools was identified as a key goal by Government, delaying the easing of restrictions in other areas in order to ensure students would be able to return to classes.
