Coronavirus update: 295 new cases, Ryan Tubridy tests positive for Covid-19

Eight more patients diagnosed with Covid-19 have died, the National Public Health Emergency Team reported on Monday evening.

Six of the eight deaths were in the east, one was in the south and one was in the west. The patients included five women and three men; they had a median age of 86.

Six of the eight patients had underlying conditions.

The number of newly confirmed cases was 295 with a total of  2,910 cases of coronavirus in the Republic and 54 deaths overall.

A drop in infection rate

Experts on the National Public Health Emergency Team welcomed data showing the infection rate has dropped from 33% to 15% since restrictions on public life were first introduced earlier this month.

“We know what an unmitigated epidemic looks like, we are not on that track,” said Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of NPHET IEMAG.

#COVID19 #coronavirus

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of NPHET IEMAG:

“The model reveals that before restrictions were in place, daily growth rate of confirmed cases was at 33%. This has fallen in recent days to around 15%. But it is still growing and needs to fall further.”

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) March 30, 2020

“The model reveals that before restrictions were in place, daily growth rate of confirmed cases was at 33%. This has fallen in recent days to around 15%. But it is still growing and needs to fall further.”

He said it would be another seven to 10 days before it could be determined whether the latest clampdown on movement, imposed by the Government on Friday night, had helped to further cut the infection rate.

Earlier this evening, Ryan Tubridy confirmed via RTÉ that he had tested positive for Covid-19, adding that he was “at the end of” his symptoms, praising the extraordinary efforts of our frontline workers over the past number of weeks.

Related: Claire Byrne confirms she tested positive for Covid-19

“Like so many other people in Ireland, I tested positive but I was in the very fortunate position to have a very unintrusive experience, which I now have come to the end of,” he said.

“While I’ve been at home watching television and listening to the radio, I have been bowled over by the extraordinary work of our front line heroes and their families who continue to make Ireland a healthier and safer place. I look forward to being back to work really soon.”

Oliver Callan will continue to host The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1. Plans for this Friday’s Late Late Show will be issued in the coming days.