LOWEST DEATHS
Bug ‘impact on public health has been limited’ Distancing ‘saving lives’ as phase 1 begins
IRELAND recorded its lowest daily death toll since lockdown began as four more people tragically died of Covid-19.
It was the smallest number since March 27 and health chiefs are confident we remain on track to launch phase two of kickstarting the economy in three weeks.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan expressed sympathy with the families of the latest victims but added: “On the first day of Ireland moving into phase one of reopening, we have experienced the lowest number of deaths since March 27. “Only two of those deaths occurred over the course of the weekend and the other two were deaths that occurred in April.
“We have suppressed the virus and limited its impact on public health. We need to sustain this in the weeks and phases ahead.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn added: “Every death is one too many but the collective effort to date has saved many lives.
“We must save more by practicing physical distancing, especially in queues and public spaces, respiratory etiquette and hand washing.”
Dr Holohan said he was happy that people were behaving responsibly in queues and shops as they enjoyed the first taste of extra freedom yesterday.
He added: “There hasn’t been a significant increase in what I’ve seen just in travelling into work and things I have heard.
“It’s a new normal for all of us, standing out on the street waiting to go into a shop. My understanding is people are maintaining good social distancing and are being facilitated by retailers – I’ve seen that with my own eyes over the last couple of weeks.”
The National Public Health Emergency Team will wait until the end of the third week to begin assessing if it is safe to launch phase two of reopening measures on June 8.
Dr Holohan told how he was encouraged by signs around Europe as countries eased a wave of restrictions over the weekend.
He added: “Things have gone well for countries that have been lifting and easing restrictions.
“It might be a little early but in the
early weeks since some of those countries eased restrictions things have gone well.”
HSE Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain urged people to take advantage of the new measures to get out and meet friends in their 5km zone.
She said: “We now have an opportunity to increase our exercise activity up to five kilometres and participate with a friend outside of the household.
“I would urge anyone who can, to take advantage of this in order to improve mental health and wellbeing.”
After the NHS in Britain added the loss of smell and taste to the list of Covid-19 symptoms, NPHET said the same may be done here after multiple reports from GPS.
Another 88 cases of the virus were confirmed yesterday.
The death toll from the disease now stands at 1,547 with
24,200 confirmed cases.
Yesterday, there were 51 Covid-19 patients in intensive care.
The Chief Medical Officer said the extra two weeks of lockdown from May 5 had helped fight the disease back further.
He cautioned that a poll showed 46% of people believe the worst is over, adding: “We do not believe that necessarily, we’ve a lot of work to do to maintain the suppression.”
The CMO is set to appear before a Dail committee today to answer questions on Ireland’s response to the pandemic.
Dr Holohan told the Irish Mirror NPHET was not asked to give health advice on the possible staging of an election after revelations of contingency planning for a poll in Government circles sparked a row between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
There have been 969 deaths in residential care settings including 843 in nursing homes according to figures.
In all, 3,127 patients have been hospitalised with coronavirus.