37 further deaths and 577 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Ireland
Very sad news.
37 more people have died from Covid-19 in Ireland and 577 new cases have been confirmed in Ireland.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has also been notified of 185 probable deaths from Covid-19.
A probable death is where there is no laboratory confirmation of a case but a doctor believes the death is associated with Covid-19.
It brings the total number of deaths in Ireland to 1,014 (this figure includes probable deaths) and the total number of confirmed cases to 18,184.
The HPSC also reported the denotification of two deaths which is reflected in the above figures.
🚨 A decision has been made in principle to change the case definition for testing.
From early next week;
Anyone presenting with any one of
- fever
- recent onset of cough
-shortness of breath
Vulnerable groups and healthcare workers will still be prioritised.@JOEdotie— Rob O'Hanrahan (@RobOHanrahan) April 24, 2020
Members of the public were again urged to follow the current restrictions in place.
Earlier on Friday, Taoiseach Leo Varakar warned that Covid-19 restrictions may be extended if people breach the current ones.
"There is the prospect of easing some of the restrictions after 5 May," Varadkar said.
"All of us want that to happen, but it is in our hands as a society. If we do the right thing for the next 11 days, if we continue to wash our hands, engage with respiratory etiquette, keep our distance from other people, following the guidelines that have been set down by the Chief Medical Officer.
"That really increases our prospects of being able to ease restrictions from 5 May. But anyone who’s thinking of breaking those restrictions even for a few hours, an evening or a day, bear in mind the consequences.
"It could be having to extend the current lockdown for another two or three weeks and that’s not worth it just for a few hours of breach.
