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31 is median age of 165 new virus cases in past fortnight

Almost 1.25 million people in Ireland have downloaded the COVID tracing app.

This represents 34% of the adult population.

Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain of the HSE said last night “As we see more cases and clusters emerge it is important that anyone experiencing symptoms isolates and contacts their GP.

Contact trace

“The aim is to find all cases of COVID-19 in Ireland and to isolate and contact trace them. Early reporting of symptoms and prompt testing helps us achieve this.” 

Meanwhile, research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows 55% of the population now self-report to wearing face coverings.

The nationally representative sample survey of 1,900 people conducted on behalf of the Depatment of Health yesterday reveals:

• 81% of people who use public transport say they wear a face covering every time with 13% saying they wear a face covering most of the time, 
• 26% of people say they wear a face covering every time they are shopping and 29% say they wear one most of the time when shopping,
• More than three quarters (78%) think that there will be a second wave – up 30 points since June,
• 38% of the population now believe the worst of the pandemic is ahead of us with 33% believing that it is behind us.

No new COVID-19 deaths were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) yesterday.

There has been a total of 1,746 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

There were 11 confirmed new cases of COVID-19 reported on Sunday 12 July.

25,638 confirmed cases

There is now a total of 25,638 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.  

A total of 165 new cases have been reported in the past fortnight.

Of these reported cases, statistics show that:

• males represent 41% / females 59%
• median age is 31 – 74% of these cases were under 45
• 20 counties reported new cases – Dublin 47%, Kildare 16% & Wicklow 6%
• 12% of these cases were travel-related

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, Department of Health, said last night: “Our research shows that 38% of the population now believe the worst of the pandemic is ahead of us. This does not have to be the case.

“Simple measures such as hand-washing, physical distancing, face coverings in appropriate settings, cough/sneeze etiquette and watching out for symptoms are the crucial elements in suppressing COVID-19.”

Rachel Kenna, chief nursing officer, Department of Health, said: “Almost 1.25 million people in Ireland have downloaded the COVID app.

“That represents 34% of the adult population. This has already served as a support to contact tracers.

"If you have not done so to date, please download the app.”