Seven COVID-19 cases in Westmeath, five or less in Roscommon

The Department of Health has now confirmed there were seven confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Westmeath as of midnight Monday.

The department tonight released a county breakdown as it announced 74 new cases by midday today, bringing the national total to 366.

Where a county has fewer than or equal to five reported cases, such as Roscommon, the department is not giving exact figures, confining itself for patient confidentiality reasons with stating that the number is fewer than or equal to five.

Dublin had the highest number of cases as of midnight Monday, with 129, followed by Cork 48, Limerick 14, Galway 12, Wicklow 9 and then Westmeath and Waterford with 7. Only three counties had no confirmed cases as of midnight, Monday: Laois, Leitrim and Monaghan.

The Department had previously refused to provide county by county information, and only given general regional information citing cases in the east, south, and west. It had even declined to specify in which area of the country midlands cases were being included.

Meanwhile the department confirmed that the 74 new cases are made up of 29 females and 45 males.

There have been two deaths associated with COVID-19 in Ireland.

The HSE is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has made available an analysis of the 271 cases notified as at midnight Monday:

· Of the 271 cases notified 40% are male and 59% female, with 23 clusters.

· To date 42% cases are travel related, 22% associated with community transmission, 17% are as a result of local transmission and 20% remain under investigation.

· Two thirds of cases are younger than 55 years, with almost one in four cases aged 35 – 44 years.

· One in five cases are healthcare workers with 37% of these cases associated with travel.

· Dublin has the highest number of cases at 129, followed by Cork (48) and Limerick (14).

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Health, said: “Again, today we are seeing another increase in case numbers. The importance of social distancing cannot be underestimated. Everyone must play their role.

“We need to continue maximising our efforts to interrupt new transmission chains and keep clusters under control.

“Reduce your social contacts to those in your closest family network. Practice social distancing. Stop shaking hands and hugging when you say hello.” 

HERE IS THE FULL COUNTY BREAKDOWN AS OF MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY

Fewer than or equal to 5: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Wexford.

6: Kerry

7: Westmeath and Waterford

9: Wicklow

12: Galway

14: Limerick

48: Cork

129: Dublin.