FIVE HEALTH care workers have died after contracting Covid-19 in Ireland, the Department of Health have confirmed.
In figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre yesterday, new data reveals that as of midnight on Tuesday, 28 April, a total of 5,627 healthcare workers have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
The frontline workers, who would have contracted the virus while carrying out essential work, are believed to be 27% males and 73% females.
34% are nurses, 24% are allied healthcare professionals,24% are healthcare assistants, 7% are doctors and 5% are porters, according to the data released by the Department of Health.
210 healthcare workers required hospitalisation from the illness, with 34 becoming seriously ill and requiring treatment in Intensive Care Units.
Tragically, 5 healthcare workers diagnosed with Covid-19 have passed away since the pandemic began.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health, speaking yesterday at a press briefing with the National Public Health Emergency Team, expanded on the tragic figures.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan announced the tragic news at a press briefing yesterday Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ieDr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said that looking after frontline workers was a "priority" as "healthcare workers place themselves at risk everyday during this pandemic."
