LAST UPDATE | 5 May 2020

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE confirmed that a further 23 people have died from Covid-19 in Ireland, bringing the total number of deaths here to 1,339. 

As the country gets to grips with the roadmap for lifting restrictions, the National Public Health Emergency Team also confirmed a further 211 cases of the virus, bringing the total number of cases in Ireland to 21,983. 

Publicans’ groups, meanwhile, have proposed a series of radical plans aimed at getting the government to allow bars to re-open before 10 August.

Internationally, the World Health Organization has said Washington has provided no evidence to support “speculative” claims by the US president that the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab.

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points:

• Health officials confirmed 23 more deaths and 211 new cases of the virus in Ireland. 
• The country’s Covid-19 restrictions, in place since 27 March, are changing slightly from today. 
• Health Minister Simon Harris has said the level of secondary deaths occurring in the country during the Covid-19 crisis will be considered by the Cabinet every three weeks.
• Aer Lingus is to conduct a review after pictures emerged of an almost full flight with no apparent evidence of social distancing measures.
• Dublin’s local authorities have announced that 1.30 – 3.30pm wil be reserved across all parks for people who are cocooning. 
• The National Bus and Rail Union has called for the compulsory wearing of face masks on all public transport as Ireland begins to ease Covid-19 restrictions. 
• Ireland’s tourism, food and retail sectors have all experienced the highest level of job losses because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new report.
• The Irish Refugee Council has said it is “deeply concerning” that 1,700 people living in Direct Provision centres are sharing a room with one or more non-family member. 
• Organisers of an online fund to help Native American people who’ve been affected by Covid-19 have thanked Irish people for their support.
• 52,100 employers have now registered for the Covid-19 payment support scheme, Liz Canavan, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach said today. 
• Publicans’ groups have proposed a series of radical plans aimed at getting the government to allow bars to re-open before 10 August.
• Tánaiste Simon Coveney, meanwhile, has said there is “a possibility” that pubs would open before 10 August but that this would need to be “rigorously assessed” before any change to the current roadmap is made.
• Ireland will provide €18 million towards a global effort to find a vaccine and effective treatments for Covid-19. 
• Siptu has called on the government to “immediately revise the date for the reopening of childcare facilities” and to offer a special annual leave credit for all health and essential workers.
• Official guidelines on sexual activity and Covid-19 were prompted by a radio interview in which the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer said there was no expectation on the public to stop being “intimate” while travel restrictions remained in place.

Here are today’s international Covid-19 points:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Washington had provided no evidence to support “speculative” claims by US president Donald Trump that the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab.
• More than 32,000 deaths involving Covid-19 have been registered in the UK, according to the country’s Office for National Statistics – the highest death toll from the virus in Europe.
• A scientist whose research aided Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to impose a lockdown in the UK has resigned from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies after admitting an “error of judgment”. Professor Neil Ferguson said he regretted “undermining” the continued need for social distancing to tackle Covid-19 after it was claimed he allowed a woman to visit him during the lockdown.
• Airbnb has confirmed that almost 1,900 employees will lose their jobs as the company deals with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• French scientists say they might have identified a possible case of Covid-19 in the country dating back to December — about a month before the first cases were officially confirmed in Europe.
• Queens University Belfast has received funding to develop a rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19.
• Stormont’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has raised concerns about setting milestone dates in Northern Ireland’s coronavirus exit strategy.
• The number of deaths worldwide from Covid-19 has passed 250,000.
• Italians have started visiting relatives and returning to work as the country eases back on the world’s longest nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

With reporting by Órla Ryan

https://www.thejournal.ie/neil-ferguson-resigns-from-sage-in-uk-5092160-May2020/