Ireland's Covid-19 death toll rises to 120

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed that 22 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland have died today.

Eighteen deaths were located in the east, three in the south, and in the west of the country.

The patients included 11 females and 11 males.

Sixteen patients were reported as having underlying health conditions.

the median age of today’s reported deaths is 80.

There have now been 120 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. The median age of deaths in Ireland is 82.

The National Public Health Emergency Team met today to continue its review of Ireland’s response and preparedness to Covid-19.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We are concerned with the number of clusters identified in nursing homes.

"We have identified a range of measures, working with the HSE. We need to see continuous actions being taken to reduce the risk of transmission in nursing home and long-term residential facilities.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We are now facing into the end of week one of new measures. It has been a tough adjustment but these efforts save lives.

"We will continue to protect vulnerable groups against this virus, by staying home and following public health advice. These efforts result in lives saved.

“Anyone over 70 years of age should remain cocooned as per public health advice, and for essential food and prescription shopping, call on family, friends or services to help you. Over 70’s should not be leaving home.”

Dr. Colm Henry, Clinical Chief Officer, HSE, said; “There is now a clear picture of more severe illness in older people.

"This underlines the importance of our advice on cocooning and requires all of us to support any vulnerable people who find themselves in isolation.”