Coronavirus: Department of Health Confirms A Further 9 People Have Died

Latest news on Tuesday 9th June.

Figures:

A further 9 people with Covid-19 have died here, bringing the death toll to 1,691.

Latest Department of Health figures show 9 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed, meaning there have been 25,215 confirmed cases since the outbreak first began in late February. 

No new Covid 19 deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland for the third day in a row, meaning the death toll stands at 537.

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the midlands stands at 1413.

Laois remains at 262 with no increase in COVID-19 cases while Westmeath also see no increase in people with the virus.

The Lake county has 671 confirmed cases.

Offaly is the only county in the midlands to see an increase it's jumped by one - the total is now 480.

Oireachtas committee:

A Dáil committee has been told it's impossible to say whether the country will be able to return to normal by the end of the year.

TDs are hearing evidence from doctors this morning before discussing the re-opening of the economy later.

Business groups have called for a faster unlocking of the country and a reduction in the 2 metre social distancing rules.

Under questioning from Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly, Professor Philip Nolan of Maynooth University says it's impossible to know what the Coronavirus will do over the next six months:

Phase 2!
We've hit a new stage in re-opening the country and we're sure many of you a happy about a little dose of 'normality' even if it means meeting up with some missed family and friends. Remember it's still important to keep social distancing in mind & washing your hands! pic.twitter.com/iJQL2NMllD

— Midlands103 (@Midlands103) June 8, 2020

Mandatory masks:

A public health expert says there’s an argument to make face masks mandatory in certain settings.

The Oireachtas Covid 19 Committee is meeting this morning to discuss the latest Covid 19 developments.

9 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed here yesterday which is the lowest figure is almost three months.

There's just one covid patient in ICU in the midlands - they're being treated at Tullamore Regional Hospital.

Dr David Nabarro from the World Health Organisation says face masks protect people from those exposed to coronavirus:

On track for second surge:

The country's on track for a second Covid-19 surge, which may happen in the next few weeks.

Dr Tomas Ryan from Trinity College in Dublin is among 1,000 doctors and scientists who are calling on the government to change the current strategy from suppressing the virus to eliminating it altogether. 

They want widespread use of masks in public, a government campaign on how to wear them, and faster contact tracing and testing, including at airports. 

Dr. Ryan, says the country is moving ahead too quickly: 

US recession:

The US has officially entered recession - ending more than a decade of steady growth.

It was expected because of the pandemic triggering falls in employment, income and spending.

Even so, the main US share index has risen, investors think the worst of the dip may have already passed.

Blind spot towards SMEs:

The government's been accused of having a blind spot towards small and medium businesses ahead of a Dáil committee meeting today.

TDs will discuss the re-opening of the economy with doctors, business leaders and the Department of Business.

It's just two days into phase two of the easing of lockdown restrictions, but the more optimistic tone and a greater relaxing of measures has industry looking forward.

Business group IBEC will call for the immediate removal of quarantine restrictions, for the 2 metre social distancing rule to be reduced to one metre and for an extensive track and trace programme.

CEO Danny McCoy will call for certainty as to when restrictions will be lifted, to avoid what he calls economic and social destruction.

The Small and Medium enterprise group ISME will also criticise the government in its opening statement to the committee.

CEO Neil McDonnell is expected to tell the committee small and medium businesses are operating in a government blind spot and the impression he gets from working with government agencies is big business good, small business bad.

The calls will likely add further pressure on the government to expedite the re-opening of the economy.

Yesterday Business Minister Heather Humphreys said the government is looking at whether the two metre distancing rule can be eased for the hospitality sector in areas like pubs, hotels and restaurants that are due to open at the end of the month.

With almost 7M #COVID19 cases & 400K deaths globally, this is not the time for any country to take its foot off the pedal. We urge active:
-surveillance to ensure the virus does not rebound
-finding, isolating, testing & caring for every case
-tracing & quarantining every contact https://t.co/B7po1dAN3F

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) June 8, 2020

Open letter from health experts:

Over 1,000 Irish scientists and doctors have called on the Government to take 'resolute' actions to completely suppress the virus.

As the country begins to reopen, the group is calling for the widespread wearing of masks, faster testing and contact tracing, the testing of visitors at airport, and a review the lockdown.

One of those who signed the letter is DCU Professor Anthony Staines.

He says the government needs to provide greater guidance on the wearing of face masks:

Household clusters:

There's been a rise in the number of Covid-19 clusters emerging in private households in recent days. 

Two weeks ago, 6 clusters were confirmed in family homes, but that's risen to 16 in the past week. 

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, says it's something families should be conscious of:

Hospitality sector:

The 2 metre social distancing rule for hotels, pubs and restaurants could be reduced to 1 metre, at times when the Covid-19 transmission rate is low. 

Guidelines are being reviewed to help the hospitality sector, with fears the current measures mean thousands of people will not return to work in the tourism sector. 

A further 4 people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the death toll here to 1,683, while 9 new cases have been confirmed. 

There hasn't been any increase in cases in the midlands - the total here stands at 1,412.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says they're examining the social distancing guidelines for the hospitality sector: