Latest news updates for Sunday 28th June 2020.
Latest figures:
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that one person with COVID-19 has died.
There has now been a total of 1,735 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
As of midnight Saturday 27th June, the HPSC has been notified of 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,439* 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.
No update on the number of cases in each county has been provided by the Department of Health today.
The latest available figures show Offaly has a recorded total of 483 people with coronavirus while Laois figures remain at 265 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
672 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Westmeath.
Global figures:
10 million people have tested positive for Covid-19 globally.
Almost 500,000 people have lost their lives after getting the disease since the outbreak began.
The spread of Covid-19 may have slowed in Ireland in recent weeks - however around the world it has raged with the rate of infection doubling since the end of May, and over one million new cases in the past week.
Covid-19 has been surging in parts of the United States, and in other parts of the Americas.
India had over 18,000 positive tests yesterday, a record for the country in one day.
The United States in total accounts for a quarter of positive tests, while Brazil has 1.3 million cases.
With the majority of countries only able to test people who are symptomatic, there are fears the total number of people who have contracted Covid-19 is far higher than 10 million.
Health Minister:
The Health Minister says there's no commitment yet to when a list of countries Irish people can travel to without quarantining on their return will be published.
The previous government pledged to producing a "green list" by next month.
The Chief Medical Officer has raised concerns over the return of international travel, saying it risks a second wave of the coronavirus here.
Stephen Donnelly, who was appointed Health Minister yesterday, says the list will be kept under review:
Don’t be afraid to let others know if they get too close if you leave home this weekend. Remember 2 metres apart is where we need to be. #SocialDistancing #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/rAU556NGas
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) June 28, 2020
UK:
British authorities could impose a lockdown on the city of Leicester because of the spike in Covid-19 cases there this month.
The Sunday Times says the UK's health secretary Matt Hancock is considering 'all options', with 650 new cases recorded in the midlands city in the first two weeks of June.
The mayor of the midlands city dismissed reports as "speculative" yesterday.
Driving tests:
Driving test centres will gradually re-open from tomorrow, under Phase 3 of the Government's plan for easing restrictions.
The Road Safety Authority says no date's been set yet for the restart of car tests, but it's hoped they'll be up and running soon.
New protocols will be in place at test centres to prevent the spread of Covid 19.
RSA Director of Driver Testing, Declan Naughton tells us what'll be tested first:
Local figures:
A further six people with Covid 19 have died in the Republic, while there have been 23 confirmed new cases.
The National Public Health Emergency Team says it brings the total death toll linked to the virus to 1,734, while the total number of confirmed cases stands at 25,437.
No new cases have been confirmed in the midlands in the last five days.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases within the region remains at 1,420.
Offaly has a recorded total of 483 people with coronavirus while Laois figures remain at 265 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
672 people have been diagnosed with the virus in Westmeath.
The Chief Medical officer has expressed concern at the high number of young people with cases of Covid-19 in today's figures.
Some 10 - or 43% of the 23 new cases - are in people under the age of 35, while 8 or 35% are between 35 and 54.
Six more people with the disease have died, bringing the overall death toll in the Republic to 1,734.
Dr Tony Holohan said it was a worrying trend and said many people were reconnecting with loved ones and may be gathering in large groups.
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