22 clusters of coronavirus in nursing homes nationwide

There are now 2,615 cases of the coronavirus here. Of the 43 patients who had died by midnight last Friday, 38 were age 65 or older; one each was in the 25-34, 35-44 and 45-54 year-old age brackets and two were aged 55-64.

The most recent figures show 22 clusters of the infection are in nursing homes, with 20 in the east of the country and two in the north-east.

Age Action says the group nature of nursing homes – including shared eating areas – means those living there are at greater risk.

Nursing Homes Ireland, meanwhile, says staff in nursing homes need more funding and better personal protective equipment.

CEO Tadhg Daly says staffing is also a major concern.

“We need to ensure that the staff in the sector are supported,” said Mr Daly.

“(We also need to ensure) that there is appropriate testing and very quick turnaround time in terms of the results of those tests so the staff that don’t have Covid can get back to work as quickly as possible.”

Outside of nursing homes, those over the age of 70 are being reminded to cocoon and not leave their homes for their own protection.

Cocooning, introduced by Leo Varadkar last Friday, is a measure to protect those who are most at risk if they contract the virus.

Officials say the coronavirus hits any age but doctors say you are more likely to get sick from it if you are over the age of 70.

Since the new restrictions have been put in place, GAA clubs across the country and retailers have come together under a new initiative to support the elderly. Local task forces are working to get food and essential supplies to those who need them most.

The advice for elderly is to stay indoors, while people are being asked to only visit those who are cocooning if they are providing essential care.

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