1,710 people have now died from Coronavirus in Ireland – an increase of three from yesterday.
Not all of these people passed away today – this is the number that were reported to the Department of Health today.
While there has been a total of eight new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.
This is an increase on the total cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 25,341.
Northern Ireland, the UK and globally
There has been one further Coronavirus related death in Northern Ireland, taking the total to 543.
There were also eight new cases of Covid-19, bringing that total to 4,862.
The UK coronavirus death toll now stands at 42,153, a rise of 184 fatalities in the last 24 hours.
Sweden’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has now passed the 5,000 mark.
According to figures released by the country’s Public Health Agency, a total of 5,041 deaths linked to Covid-19 have been reported from 54,562 confirmed cases.
Sweden’s death toll has far surpassed the tolls in neighbouring Nordic countries, which have all imposed more restrictive containment measures.
According to AFP’s database, Sweden’s virus death rate of 499 per million inhabitants is far higher than Norway’s 45 per million, Denmark’s 103, or Finland’s 59.
However, it is still lower than that of the UK at 618 per million, Italy at 569, and Spain at 580.
There are now a total 8,313,000 cases of Coronavirus globally. There have been more than 447,000 deaths while 4,352,000 have recovered.
€9 meals for pubs
Pubs will be allowed to reopen on 29 June if they serve “substantial” meals costing not less than €9, according to new guidelines being prepared by Fáilte Ireland.
Any food offering will be required to be a substantial meal (as defined by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962: “the meal is such as might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course in either such meal”).
It will also be required to be of a kind for which “it would be reasonable to charge not less than €9”.
Social Distancing in pubs and restaurants to 1 metre
Restaurants and pubs that serve food may be able to reduce the two-metre physical distancing restriction to one metre in certain circumstances when they reopen later this month.
But it is understood that those circumstances include limiting the length of stay in the pub or restaurant to a maximum of 90 minutes, while customers would also have to pre-book before making a visit.
The draft document, ‘Covid-19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses’, was drawn up by the HPSC following a request for further clarity from tourism agency, Fáilte Ireland.
Virus reproductive rate still below 1
Minister for Health Simon Harris has said the reproductive rate of Covid-19 is estimated to be 0.7.
Speaking in the Dáil, he said the very small number of cases makes the rate very hard to estimate and that “it is important to remain vigilant and careful not to catch or transmit the virus as we go about our daily business”.
Delays for tests for nursing home staff
A plan to test all staff in the country’s nursing homes has been delayed.
Nursing Homes Ireland said it has been informed today that planned mass weekly testing of around 32,000 nursing home staff will not now begin until the end of June.
The plan to have weekly testing was announced earlier this month.
Important information
Symptoms of Covid-19 include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties.
Further resources:
- The HSE: Official advice on the coronavirus in Ireland. This is being updated based on the number of confirmed cases and how the virus spreads in Ireland.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs: Official advice on where to avoid travelling to. Also a resource for those who are abroad.
- The World Health Organization (WHO): The UN agency on global public health publishes statements and daily situation reports based on the latest data.
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency on the number of cases, deaths and how it’s spreading in Europe.
- The Johns Hopkins University map: A heat map of the confirmed cases across the world.
A helpline for older people who are concerned about the coronavirus has been launched by Alone. The number is 0818 222 024, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.
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