BREAKING: 16 more Coronavirus deaths and 51 cases as Minister Harris says children to take socially distanced walks with grandparents

1,561 people have now died from Coronavirus in Ireland – an increase of 16 from yesterday.

It is important to note that not all of these people passed away today and that this is the number that were reported to the Department of Health today.

These people will have passed away in recent days and not just today.

While there has been a total of 51 new cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in Ireland today.

This is an increase on the 24,200 cases from yesterday and takes the overall total to 24,251

Northern Ireland, the UK and globally 

There have been 7 further Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland, bringing official total to 489.

There have been 20 new cases of Coronavirus, bringing the Northern Ireland total to 4,421.

The UK Coronavirus death toll increased by 227 in past 24 hours, taking total recorded fatalities to 35,023. The youngest of today’s fatalities was just 7.

There are now a total 4,938,000 cases of Coronavirus globally. There have been more than 321,000 deaths while 1,930,000 have recovered.

Children can take walks with grandparents 

Minister Simon Harris says it is safe for grandparents to take a socially distanced walk with children.

Speaking on Morning Ireland, Minister Harris was responding to a question on whether this was possible.

He said: “This question gets me every time. It’s heartbreaking. It’s gut wrenching. It shows the cruelty of this virus.

“There are grandparents who have not been able to hold their grandchildren.

“There are also grandparents who have not seen newborns.

“If you happen to live close to your grandchildren, it’s safe to take a walk with them with social distancing.

“In three weeks time if we can move forward its safe for people who are cocooning to have someone in to visit their home.

“The reason we can’t say you can safely hug a grandchild is because that act of love could actually cause someone to get very, very sick.”

Rise in Coronavirus hospital patients

The number of patients in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 has increased to 648, according to new figures from the Health Service Executive.

The figures, which include all patients admitted up to last night, represent an increase of 79 patients compared with the situation on Sunday evening.

See Full Report Here

Premier League

The Premier League has confirmed that, on Sunday 17 May and Monday 18 May, 748 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19.

Of these, six have tested positive from three clubs. Players or club staff who have tested positive will now self-isolate for a period of seven days.

Meanwhile, Watford striker Troy Deeney confirmed he would not be returning to training – citing confirms for his five month old baby who has breathing difficulties.

Warning not to take Trump’s hydroxychloroquine

A doctor has warned that patients with auto-immune diseases will be negatively impacted by a global stockpiling of hydroxychloroquine, after US President Donald Trump said he is taking it as a preventative measure against Covid-19.

Consultant rheumatologist Dr Laura Durcan said there is “absolutely no data” that hydroxychloroquine is effective for use against the new coronavirus.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Sarah McInerney, Dr Durcan said taking the anti-malarial drug for use to prevent Covid-19 is “absolute lunacy”.

See full report here

Pollution

Researchers at MaREI, the SFI research centre in energy, climate and marine at University College Cork (UCC), have published the first full picture of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on Ireland’s energy related pollution levels.

Among the findings is that pollution from cars has dropped by 50%, but air pollution from solid fuel burning has not changed. Private car activity levels have dropped by more than 85% since the lockdown began.

The research says that every day is the weekend, as our electricity usage pattern now replicates a weekend demand profile 7 days a week.

Important information 

Symptoms of Covid-19 include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Breathing difficulties.

Further resources:

• The HSE: Official advice on the coronavirus in Ireland. This is being updated based on the number of confirmed cases and how the virus spreads in Ireland.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs: Official advice on where to avoid travelling to. Also a resource for those who are abroad.
• The World Health Organization (WHO): The UN agency on global public health publishes statements and daily situation reports based on the latest data.
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The EU agency on the number of cases, deaths and how it’s spreading in Europe.
• The Johns Hopkins University map: A heat map of the confirmed cases across the world.

A helpline for older people who are concerned about the coronavirus has been launched by Alone. The number is 0818 222 024, and it’s open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm.

SEE ALSO – WATCH: Young Laois boy takes on the ‘Patience Challenge’ and smashes it

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