Five further Covid-19 deaths as 248 new cases confirmed

Health Service Executive (HSE) chief executive Paul Reid: Photocall Ireland/PA Wire

A further five people have died of Covid-19, while 248 new cases of the virus have been confirmed.

Of the new cases, 36 were in Cork. That figure was only surpassed by the two counties currently in Phase 3, Dublin (104 new cases) and Donegal (37).

Yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated Cork City is now a “danger area” for Covid-19, given the rapid rise in cases during the last fortnight.

The latest figures will add to fears that a lockdown may be imminent.

A further breakdown of the case data released today shows: 

• 132 of confirmed cases are men and 115 are women 
• 67% of cases are under 45 years of age 
• 36% of cases are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case 
• 36 cases have been identified as community transmission

The Department of Health said the Health Service Executive (HSE) is working with the patients to trace their contacts in order to prevent further spread of the virus. 

The latest figures come as the HSE chief Paul Reid called on the public to "galvanise" young people to fight Covid-19

Paul Reid said the country should avoid knocking down the youth of Ireland amid concerns of further restrictions following a growing number of Covid-19 cases.

It emerged during the week that people aged 15 to 34 account for 40% of Covid-19 cases in the past two months, despite accounting for just a quarter of the population.

On Friday, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn and his counterpart in the north, Dr Michael McBride, made a specific appeal to teenagers and people in their 20s and 30s in counties Donegal and Derry to reduce their social contacts.

Donegal moved to risk level three of the Government's plan to deal with Covid-19 following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The restrictions will last for three weeks.

The chief medical officers said they were concerned about the significant proportion of cases in young people in Donegal and Derry, and asked teenagers and those in their 20s and 30s in particular to reduce their social contacts.

On Saturday, Mr Reid tweeted: "Young people have made this country an even better place to live, in my book.

"Marriage equality, climate change awareness and much more, all enabled by them.

"Again we put a weight on their shoulders to help us with Covid-19. Let's not knock, but galvanise them once again."

Young people have made this country an even better place to live, in my book. Marriage equality, climate change awareness & much more, all enabled by them. Again we put a weight on their shoulders to help us with #COVID19. Let's not knock, but galvanise them once again.@HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) September 26, 2020

The Government has also imposed country-wide level three restrictions on colleges, which will see most lecturers moved online.

Higher education institutions are to adopt the same health measures already in place in Dublin for the next two to three weeks.

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said on Friday that colleges and libraries will remain open.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin voiced concerns earlier this week about the 18 to 34 age bracket, particularly as many students return to third-level colleges.

Mr Martin said college life will not be normal for students.