COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
| COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland | |
|---|---|
 Confirmed cases per 100k inhabitants by county, as of 23 June 2021
| |
| Disease | Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) |
| Virus strain | Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) |
| Location | Republic of Ireland |
| Index case | Dublin |
| Arrival date | 29 February 2020 (4 years, 8 months, 1 week and 3 days ago) |
| Confirmed cases | 270,477 (as of 25 June 2021)[1] |
Deaths | 4,989 (as of 25 June 2021)[1] |
| Government website | |
| Gov.ie - Latest updates on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) | |
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic reached Ireland on 29 February 2020,[2] and within three weeks had spread to all counties.[3][4]
Response
[change | change source]On 12 March 2020, the government shut all schools, colleges, childcare facilities and cultural institutions. St Patrick's Day festivals and events were cancelled. Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar addressed the nation that night. On 24 March, almost all businesses, venues, facilities and amenities were shut; but gatherings of up to four were allowed.[5]
Three days later, the government banned all "non-essential" travel. People were made to keep apart in public.[6]
Lockdown effect
[change | change source]The lockdown has caused a recession and a rise in unemployment,[7] with a longer lockdown forecast to cause greater damage.[8]
By mid-April 2020, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reported that the growth rate of the pandemic had been "as low as it needs to be",[9] that the curve had flattened and that there would be no peak coming.[10]
Cases
[change | change source]By 25 June 2021, the Department of Health had confirmed 270,477 cases and 4,989 deaths;[1] a rate of 54,184 cases per million and 999 deaths per million population.[11] More than 90% of those that have died were aged over 65,[12] and most also had underlying illnesses or lived in care homes.[13]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Ireland's COVID-19 Data Hub". gov.ie. Department of Health. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ↑ "First case of coronavirus in Republic of Ireland". BBC News. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ↑ Cullen, Paul (22 March 2020). "Coronavirus cases now confirmed in every county in Ireland". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ↑ MacNamee, Garreth (22 March 2020). "Every single county in Ireland now has at least one coronavirus case - here's a breakdown of where the virus is". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ↑ Murray, Sean (24 March 2020). "Taoiseach announces all non-essential shops to close, restrictions on gatherings of more than four people". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
- ↑ Kenny, Aisling (1 May 2020). "Taoiseach addresses nation on road map to ease restrictions". RTÉ News. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- ↑ "Coronavirus pushes unemployment in Ireland to ‘unprecedented’ level". Financial Times, 21 April 2020. Quote: Mr Donohoe told reporters on Tuesday, “The necessary restrictions to limit the transmission of the Covid-19 virus have resulted in a severe recession and unprecedented levels of unemployment.”"
- ↑ "Coronavirus Ireland: Country set for deep recession as economy to shrink by 10pc and mass unemployment grows". Irish Independent, 21 April 2020.
- ↑ Brennan, Cianan (16 April 2020). "Spread of Covid-19 infection has reached a 'plateau' with growth rate 'close to zero'". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ↑ "'Important to continue current measures until 5 May', says Dr Holohan". RTÉ News. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ↑ Coronavirus cases: Reported Cases and Deaths by Country. Worldometer.
- ↑ "Over-65s account for 90% of coronavirus deaths recorded in Ireland". The Irish Times, 13 April 2020.
- ↑ "Nursing homes account for 50 per cent of coronavirus deaths in Ireland". The Irish Times, 30 April 2020.