Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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380. To ask the Minister for Health the approach taken by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to the classification of deaths as Covid-19 related or not, subject to a coroner's report, in circumstances in which a patient dies from traumatic injuries subsequent to having been admitted to hospital but tested positive for Covid-19 upon admission to hospital. [39381/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Since the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) met for the first time, a commitment was given to collect and publish as much relevant data as possible while ensuring individual patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. While the nature and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, the collection of timely and comprehensive data has been instrumental in developing the health service response to Covid-19 and to the advice provided by the NPHET and the Department of Health to assist Government decision-making in the wider response to the disease in Ireland.

It should be noted that in Ireland, data are collected on COVID-19 related mortality for both lab confirmed and probable cases, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in both hospitals and the community. It should also be noted that collection of COVID-19 related mortality data in Ireland exceeds that of many other countries in the world.

The Deputy should note that comprehensive national statistics, information, and data about Covid-19 is published on a daily basis on the Department of Health website at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/ and on the Covid-19 Data Hub and Dashboards available at . The published data are based on official figures provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). All datasets, charts and maps are updated on an on-going basis and in line with newly published data.

I would also direct the Deputy to the CSO website for access to a range of data relating to Covid-19 including the numbers of diagnosed cases and mortality data. This is available on the CSO Covid-19 Information Hub at and, in particular, at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/br/b-cdc/covid-19deathsandcasesseries16/.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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381. To ask the Minister for Health if HSE staff in Kenmare Community Hospital and other locations in County Kerry who are dealing with Covid-19 cases will only be rostered on to assist with these patients and will not be rostered to work on other wards or with other patients that have not contracted Covid-19 as per the HSE guidelines.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39386/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.