Coronavirus: 6 More People Have Died

Latest news updates on Wednesday 24th June.

Latest Figures:

It's the second consecutive day that the midlands has seen no increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The total number of confirmed cases across the region remains at 1,420.

Laois has recorded a total of 265 with the virus, while 483 have tested positive in Offaly. 

Westmeath has had 672 people diagnosed with the illness. 

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a total of 6 people with COVID-19 have died.

There have now been a total of 1,726 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Tuesday 23rd June the HPSC has been notified of 5 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 25,396 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 on June 21^st, 92% of all confirmed cases to date are estimated to have recovered from COVID-19.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Through our collective action, we have moved in the right direction in our fight against widespread community transmission of COVID-19. As we go forward, the behaviour and progression of this disease is in all of our hands.”

“Every single one of us today has the ability to reduce the impact the virus might have on our most vulnerable and those at risk. You can do this by keeping a physical distance from others or wearing a face covering when in busy public places like shops and public transport, and by continuing to keep your number of daily contacts as low as possible.”

Air travel:

Ryanair's CEO has criticised the government for "fudging around" with plans for air bridges between Ireland and other countries.

It's likely travel restrictions will only be eased for people arriving here from countries that have got the coronavirus under control.

A state-appointed taskforce has called for the two week quarantine rule to be dropped completely.

Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson says Ireland needs to be in line with other EU countries:

Midlands Branch Of McDonald's Re-Opens For Walk-In Takeaway:https://t.co/npFAj5RuOr

— Midlands103 (@Midlands103) June 24, 2020

US:

America's top infectious disease expert says there's been a "disturbing surge" in the number of new Covid-19 cases in several US states.    

Dr Anthony Fauci says that applies to Texas and Florida, as well as Arizona, where Donald Trump's held his latest pre-election rally. 

Speaking to crowds of supporters in Phoenix, the US President repeated language about the pandemic which he knows has been labelled as racist:

Romance:

Three in five new couples say they feel more committed to each other as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

A survey's found the pandemic has intensified relationships, meaning a few months together feels like several years for some.

Kim and Chis decided to take the plunge and isolate together after just a couple of weeks:

School:

An Irish education expert says parents shouldn't be worried about 'curriculum catch-up' for schooling missed during the pandemic.

All schools closed on March 12th and it's still not clear if they will be able to reopen as normal while social distancing remains in place.

Professor Marian Quinn will host a webinar later on helping children transition back to education.

She says parents should be more focused on re-settling children than the learning they may have missed:

EU/US travel ban:

The EU is looking at the possibility of blocking people from the US entering European countries because of Covid-19.

The New York Times says the US could be one of the countries included in the decision because it has failed to gain control of the virus outbreak.

America has the highest amount of coronavirus cases in the world and is experiencing a surge in new infections.

The EU is set to discuss the criteria for the ban later today.

Contact tracing:

The head of the HSE says nearly 1 in 10 people in the Republic have now been tested for Covid 19.

Almost 405 thousand tests have been carried out so far - more than 28 thousand of them have been positive.

Meanwhile, the HSE is finalising plans to release a new app aimed at helping with contact tracing.

New research from the University of Limerick shows 82 per cent of people would be willing to download it.

Dr. Jim Buckley from UL says people have some concerns:

Latest #Covid19 hospitalisation figures show great progress. 37 patients in hospital with the virus. 11 patients in ICU. We think of them all. Keep the virus suppressed by:
✅ Hand washing
✅ Social distance
✅ Face covering
✅ Cough etiquette
✅ Self isolating if symptomatic pic.twitter.com/RkAzvyxrLV

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 24, 2020

Air travel:

A leading medical professor claims lifting restrictions on air travel could cause a second wave of Covid-19 cases.

The Aviation Recovery Taskforce believes the government should end the 14-day quarantine and lift border restrictions next week. 

The prevalence of the virus here remains low, with 10 new cases and three deaths confirmed yesterday.

But Kingston Mills, professor of experimental immunology in Trinity College, says there'll be another spike if air travel resumes fully:

However,

Fianna Fáil's transport and tourism spokesman, Marc MacSharry, is calling on the government to implement the taskforce's recommendations:

Local figures:

There's been no increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the midlands.

Laois has recorded a total of 265 with the virus, while 483 have tested positive in Offaly. 

Westmeath has had 672 people diagnosed with the illness. 

The total number of confirmed cases across the region remains at 1,420.