Coronavirus: One Death Reported Today

National news 30th June 2020.

Latest figures:

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 1 person with COVID-19 has died.

There has now been a total of 1,736 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Monday 29 June, the HPSC has been notified of 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,473 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

The COVID-19 Dashboard provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of COVID-19 in the community.

As of midnight Monday 29^th June, 429,698 tests have been carried out. Over the past week, 24,607 tests were carried out. 116 tests were positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.5%.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Today marks 6 months since the WHO first received reports of what we now know to be COVID-19.

“Since then, there have been 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths reported worldwide.

“We know more about this virus and how to limit its spread than we did 6 months ago. It is very important that we keep up the national effort to reduce the impact of this disease in our country.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Each person should risk assess their own environment to inform their personal decisions and actions during this pandemic.

“We know how this virus spreads, we know the public health behaviours required to protect ourselves and others, we must continue to be aware of the disease and limit its spread.”

There's been no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the midlands.

Laois figures remain at 265 confirmed cases of the virus while Offaly has a recorded total of 483 people with coronavirus

672 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Westmeath. 

Circus:

Cirque du Soleil is cutting around 3-and-a-half-thousand jobs after securing a deal to avoid going bankrupt.

The Canadian entertainment group had to stop shows in March, including six in Las Vegas, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's laying off around 95 percent of its workforce as it develops a plan to restart the business.

Committee:

The challenges facing small and medium businesses will be discussed at a meeting of the Oireachtas Covid Committee later.

SME Recovery Ireland's expected to call for a government bailout of the sector.

Meanwhile TD's will also hear from representatives of hotels, bars and restaurants and what supports they need as the economy reopens.

England:

An English city is being kept under local lockdown after a spike in Covid-19 cases.

All non-essential shops have to shut from today in Leicester and schools will close to most pupils from Thursday.

Restaurants, bars and hairdressers also won't be able to open as planned this weekend.

Some ten per cent of Britain's recent new infections were in the midlands city, and UK health secretary Matt Hancock says he had to act:

Travel:

The European Commission is set to confirm a list of 14 "safe countries" whose residents will be allowed to travel into the bloc at noon today. 

Australia, Canada and New Zealand are on the draft list, along with Japan, and South Korea and Thailand. 

Some neighbouring states in eastern Europe and the Balkans are expected to be allowed in. 

A number of African countries are also listed, including Algeria, Rwanda and Morocco. 

The reciprocal travel ban between the United States and Europe is expected to remain in place. 

Cases:

The number of current active cases of Covid-19 across the country is down below 160. 

But Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, says that shouldn't lead to complacency: 

Holidays:

The Chief Medical Officer is appealing to people with foreign holidays planned to cancel their flight and hotel bookings. 

The National Public Health Emergency Team is noticing a "worrying trend" of Covid-19 cases increasing, and new clusters emerging. 

Some last week resulted in the need to test over 20 people as close contacts of individual cases. 

No new deaths linked to the virus have been reported - but 24 more cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to 25,462.

Dr Tony Holohan wants people with summer holidays planned to reconsider: 

Hotels:

Hotel owners say a massive cut to the VAT rate, rates waivers, bridging loans and continuing wage subsidies are needed to save up to 180-thousand jobs in tourism. 

Their trade group will speak to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response this afternoon.

The Irish Hotels Federation says business this year is going to be down 74 per cent on last year, and the sector needs a targeted bailout. 

Chief executive Tim Fenn says the industry supports over a quarter of a million jobs -- most of them outside the capital: