Number of coronavirus cases in Ireland rises to 70

By Qin Ding

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has confirmed 27 new cases of coronavirus in Ireland. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 70.

Two confirmed cases are associated with community transmission, three are associated with travel and 22 are associated with local transmission.

Three of these new cases are in intensive care bringing the total patients currently in ICU to six.

The HSE is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said:

“If we do nothing, the number of cases will increase rapidly and challenge our healthcare services. We need to flatten the curve – to slow transmission, to reduce the total number of cases and spread the number of cases out over a longer period of time.”

The Taoiseach announced yesterday that all educational and childcare facilities are to remain closed until March 29.

A number of gatherings and events across Galway have also been cancelled.