57 new Covid cases recorded in Ireland

THERE have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today, with 57 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of midnight Sunday.

Of the cases notified today, 70% are under 45 years of age.

Nineteen cases are located in Kildare, 11 in Dublin, 10 in Offaly, seven in Limerick, and the rest of the cases are in Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry and Wicklow.

Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, reinforced some of the measures we should be taking to stay safe.

She said: “From today, you are asked to wear face coverings in a variety of indoor commercial settings such as shops, supermarkets, libraries, museums, cinemas and theatres.

"Remember to clean your hands before you put on your face covering, and hold it by the ear loops. Ensure it sits snugly over your nose and mouth. When you remove it, place it in a Ziploc bag and then when you get home, put it in a 60 degree wash. Try to avoid touching the front of your face covering when wearing it.

“Every small, daily action we take, such as wearing a face covering in the shop, is an act of solidarity with healthcare workers who have been at the frontline of this public health crisis since its outset.”

Dr. Siobhán Ní Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and Integrated Care Lead, HSE, said: “It is important to remember that all the safe behaviours we are asked to adopt are designed to protect the most vulnerable groups in society from catching this very dangerous disease. Covid-19 is still circulating in our communities, and by avoiding crowded places, keeping our social contacts to a minimum and socially distancing from one another, we are helping to break chains of transmission that could lead to an older person or a vulnerable person catching this infection.”