Coronavirus: 44 More Deaths Confirmed

But the authorities are still exercising caution around relaxing restrictions.

18.00 - Figures:

44 more people have died after contracting Covid-19 in the Republic.

The death toll across the country now stands at 530.

In the past 24 hours 702 new cases have been detected, including 112 from swabs sent to German labs.

The total number of positive tests now stands at 13,980.

There are nine new confirmed cases in Westmeath, bringing the total to 318. 

Offaly has 171 patients with the illness up from 163.

139 people in Laois have COVID-19, an increase of six cases. 

Funeral Updates:

Mourners are being told they cannot kiss their loved ones goodbye if they've died as a result of the coronavirus. 

The government has published a guide for anyone who suffers a loss during the pandemic. 

Its possible the act of moving a recently deceased person may be enough to expel a very small amount of droplets. 

This is why when a person has died as a result of Covid-19 or is a suspected case, new measures have been brought in. 

Embalming, washing the body, kissing the deceased or having the body lie in an open casket at home have all been curtailed under new government guidelines. 

It's advised that funerals be organised by phone and that funeral directors avoid direct contact with any family member who has been identified as being a close contact of the deceased. 

Other measures also apply to deaths unrelated to the outbreak.

Friends of the deceased are only allowed to attend funerals where there are no close family or household members - but this cannot exceed 10 people. 

Funeral arrangements should not be advertised, a notice of the passing is permitted on local radio stations, RIP.ie and in local papers. 

Hugging or shaking hands should be avoided, while social distancing should be observed. 

Post funeral gatherings are not allowed, but families will be advised that they can have a memorial service at a later date. 

Disconnections:

A moratorium on gas and electricity disconnections has been extended.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, along with gas and electricity suppliers, increased the measure until June 16th following the recent extension of government measures regarding Covid-19.

It was brought in to protect and reassure customers during this period of uncertainty and to ensure that they have gas and electricity supply. 

Nurses:

One in 10 Covid-19 cases in Ireland are nurses, according to the INMO. 

It says the country faces one of the highest rates of diagnosed healthcare worker infection in Europe. 

Nurses are calling for updated guidance on PPE, and more detailed statistics on healthcare infection rates. 

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation also wants to see a breakdown of where the infection is occurring.

Increased testing:

The HSE is to enhance its covid-19 testing for residents and staff at private nursing homes. 

It will also implement a CRM tracker to capture their most up to date data and report that back to the National Public Health Emergency Team in future.

There are now 196 outbreaks of coronavirus at nursing homes across the country.

Northern Ireland:

Another 18 people have died form Covid 19 in the north, bringing the death toll to 176.

137 new cases have been confirmed.

The total number of those who have tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland, now stands at 2,338.

Meeting:

The National Public Health Emergency Team is meeting this morning to review the State's response to Covid-19.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan says this morning's meeting will focus on how any restrictions could be lifted, and on nursing homes: 

Health Minister:

The Health Minister says the current model of care for older people in this country isn't fit for purpose.

It comes after one Dublin nursing home reported 11 coronavirus related deaths in the last two weeks.

The HSE has confirmed that ten of those who passed away at St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park had tested positive for the virus.

While another resident was a suspected case, but hadn't received their test results.

The HSE will announce new measures this afternoon to stop the spread of Covid 19 in nursing homes while the Health Minister is to meet Nursing Homes Ireland.

Simon Harris says how the country cares for older people needs to change:

UK:

A group of people who gathered on Westminster Bridge in London to clap for carers have been criticised for a lack of social distancing.

A video has gone viral on twitter showing police cars parked on the bridge as crowds gathered to cheer frontline staff.

But the clip has prompted backlash amid concerns that people are standing too close together.

TDs:

There's been calls for TDs travel expenses to be at least halved during the Coronavirus crisis. 

TDs are being paid unvouched travel expenses without needing to fob in to Leinster House despite the national lockdown. 

The amount paid depends on how far away the Deputy lives from Leinster House.

Revised Chinese figures:

There's been a 50% increase in the number of deaths reported in the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak began.

Officials in Wuhan now say almost 3,900 people have died - up from around 2,600 previously announced.

They've put it down to updated reporting, such as including those who've passed away at home.

Sky's Asia correspondent Tom Cheshire is in Beijing:

Nursing home clusters:

Nursing Homes Ireland is to meet with the Health Minister this afternoon. 

It follows criticism that the speed at which COVID-19 has spread in nursing homes wasn't anticipated.

It also comes after eight residents at the Maryborough Centre in Portlaoise died from the virus last weekend, while a Dublin nursing home had eleven covid-19 related deaths within the last two weeks.

The majority of the 425 clusters nationwide are in those settings. 

CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland Tadgh Daly says an action plan for nursing homes should have been a priority.

Department of Health map of Coronavirus cases in the Midlands region.

- Red cases new as of today, grey previously known. @Midlands103 pic.twitter.com/dgVrn9Bq1R

— Robbie Fahy (@fahy_rob) April 16, 2020

Suggestions virus has been suppressed:

New modelling suggests Covid-19 has reached a plateau here, and the virus has been suppressed. 

However, there's a warning relaxing restrictions in place on travel and work after May 5th could see the infection begin to grow again. 

The country recorded its highest daily increase in Covid-19 deaths yesterday, with 43 more patients dying, bringing the death toll to 486, while there are now over 13,200 confirmed cases. 

There are now 605 confirmed cases in the midlands - there are four covid patients in Critical Care in Tullamore Regional Hospital, along with three suspected cases.

There's one confirmed case in Critical Care in Mullingar, along with another suspected case.

And in Portlaoise, there are two suspected covid patients in Critical Care.

Chair of the Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, Professor Philip Nolan, says the data shows Covid-19 is under control: