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One in five virus cases are healthcare workers

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said there are 74 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland as of yesterday.

The cases are made up of 29 females and 45 males. 

There have been two deaths associated with COVID-19 in Ireland and there are now 366 confirmed cases.

An analysis of the 271 cases notified as at midnight Monday, 16 March, shows:

• 40 per cent are male and 59 per cent are female, with 23 clusters,
• To date 42 per cent of cases are travel-related, 22 per cent are associated with community transmission, 17 per cent are as a result of local transmission and 20 per cent 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 per cent 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. 

Efforts

“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.”