17 more deaths of patients with COVID-19

There have been 17 more deaths of patients with COVID-19 in Ireland, the Department of Health has confirmed.

It brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland to 71. Eight of the deaths were located in the east, three in the south, three in the north-west and three in the west of the country.

Four of the patients were female and 13 male. The median age of today’s reported deaths is 84

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 325 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, as at 1pm, today Tuesday.

There are now 3,235 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The latest figures show 77 cases in Westmeath and 10 in Roscommon.

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, 30,213 tests have been carried out in laboratories across the country, as of midnight, Monday 30 March.

Over the past week, the positivity rate for tests carried out increased from 6% to 15%, based on the new criteria for testing.

Meanwhile a more detailed analysis of the figures of cases as of midnight, Sunday, reveals that there were 118 clusters involving 494 cases. 22% of the clusters were located in private houses, 20% in nursing homes and 18% in hospitals. 113 cases have been admitted to ICU. And  647 cases are associated with healthcare workers.

In response to infections in long term residential care (nursing homes, disability and mental health) and homecare settings the National Public Health Emergency team will work with the HSE to identify a number of measures which can be taken to strengthen support to staff and providers of nursing home care.