Seventh Irish Covid-19 death as confirmed cases stand at 1,329

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland has died.

The patient is a male and in the east of the country, with an underlying health condition.

There have now been seven Covid-19  related deaths in Ireland.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 204 new confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland.

There are now 1,329 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.

To date, 17,992 tests have been carried out in laboratories across the country, as of midnight last night.

The National Public Health Emergency Team met last night (land this morning to review Ireland’s response to COVID-19 preparedness.

The following recommendations were made by the National Public Health Emergency Team and today adopted by the government.

Ireland has adopted the World Health Organisation case definition for COVID-19: A patient with fever and at least one sign of respiratory disease e.g. cough, shortness of breath.

The recommendations are:

*Individuals should work from home unless attendance at the workplace is absolutely essential.

*Non-essential retail outlets are to close to members of the public.

*Essential retail outlets are to implement strict physical distancing measures.

*All sporting events are cancelled, including those behind closed doors.

*All playgrounds and holiday/ caravan parks are closed.

*All organised social indoor or outdoor events of any size are not to take place.

*All cafes and restaurants are to operate on a take-away or delivery basis. Strict physical distancing measures apply to queuing for this service.

*People should not use public transport unless it is absolutely necessary.