Covid-19 Update: Mon. 31st Aug. 2020 – Zero New Deaths – 53 New Cases

This evening, figures from the Department of Health confirm that there have been zero new deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; leaving the overall death toll here in the Republic of Ireland remaining at 1,777.

However, there are 53 new additional cases reported today, leaving the current total number of confirmed cases, since conception in the Irish Republic, at 28,813.

There have been 2,741 confirmed clusters in total within the state, with the department being notified of 154 new clusters in the week up until the 29th August. Some 72% of cases were in people under 45-years-old.

As of 8:00pm Saturday night last, there were 33 people in public hospitals with confirmed Covid-19, and 70 with suspected cases. Five patients with the virus and 14 suspected cases were in Intensive Care Units (ICU’s).

The chair of the Irish Medical Organisation’s GP committee Dr. Denis McCauley has said the availability of non-Covid services is a major concern, with GPs now are spending much of their day trying to access services in hospital for people; some with cancer.

Good news for Co. Kildare, as the Government has, with immediate effect, announced the lifting of specific Covid-19 restrictions in the county. This decision comes after the National Public Health Emergency Team met earlier today to review the spread of the virus in the county. 

Meanwhile on the business front; Microfinance Ireland (MFI) has launched a €15m COVID-19 fund to help ‘micro-enterprises’ impacted by the Covid-19 virus pandemic to protect jobs.
The government-funded micro-business lender is offering loans of €5,000 to €25,000 to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies with fewer than 10 employees and annual turnover of less than €2m.
It is the second such programme of loans offered by MFI, following the initial Covid-19 Microfinance Loan scheme, which approved €18.6m in total loans to 683 businesses.

Please stay safe by reducing social contacts; avoiding crowds; physically distancing; wearing face coverings and washing your hands regularly.