98 New Cases of COVID19Midlands to Close as Covid Cases Spike
Ninety-eight new covid cases were announced by the HSE tonight, this brings the total cases to 26,470 in the Republic of Ireland. The HSE and Department of Health also announced full hospital figures for August 5th, four cases were health care workers. 3 cases were admitted to hospital. The total number admitted to hospital stands at 3,362 cases.
The counties of Kildare, Laois and Offaly in the Irish midlands are to have movement restrictions imposed. Residents in these counties are being told to only travel within their own county when possible. The Irish government have imposed these restrictions as over the last 14 days 292 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the three counties. The measures are to being from midnight tonight (Friday, 7th of August 2020) for at least a fortnight.
The headline figures show a total of 98 new cases as of 12 midnight on the 6th of August, with 4 deaths reported. Overall 1,772 COVID related deaths have been announced.
| Month | Total Cases | Health Care Workers | Health Care Workers % |
| March | 3,282 | 841 | 26% |
| April | 17,460 | 5,132 | 29% |
| May | 4,314 | 2,013 | 47% |
| June | 418 | 229 | 55% |
| July | 635 | 217 | 34% |
| August | 361 | 16 | 4% |
| Total | 26,470 | 8,448 | 32% |
An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, tonight said: "We have already postponed key parts of the reopening plan and this evening, in response to the increased spread of the disease in counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly, and acting on the very clear advice of public health officials, the Government has decided to introduce a number of limited restrictions within those three counties for a period of two weeks, from midnight tonight."
The advise over the next two weeks to people in these counties is to only travel within your own county and to work from home if possible.
Exceptions to this advise are: -
- you are travelling to and from work where that work cannot be done from home
- to attend medical appointments, collect medicines and other health products
- for vital family reasons, like providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, but excluding social family visits
- for farming purposes, food production or care of animals
Those who do not live in any of these counties have also be told to stay out, except for the reason outlined above.
The simple rules are the most effective:
- wash your hands.
- observe good cough and sneeze etiquette.
- limit your social interactions.
- wear face coverings, on public transport, in shops and shopping centres, and in all indoor settings where social distancing is difficult
- maintain social distancing
- support those businesses that are adhering to the public health advice and steer clear of those who are not
- know the symptoms and contact your GP if you have even the slightest concern