The government’s paying tribute to the Chief Medical Officer for his leadership in handling the Covid-19 crisis.
Dr. Tony Holohan is stepping aside from his work commitments to be with his family as his wife Emer, who has cancer, has been admitted to palliative care.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn has taken up the role with immediate effect.
The Department of Health has announced that a further five people who had been diagnosed with Covid-19 have died.
There have been 15 additional confirmed cases, however there has been no change in the number of Covid 19 cases in the North West
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has thanked Dr. Holohan on behalf of the people of Ireland for “helping to guide this country through the Covid-19 emergency” and said every home in the country has come to know him.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says the country’s been lucky to have Dr. Holohan steering it through the pandemic:
A fifth of new infections in the last week are travel-related, leading to concerns among the National Public Health Emergency Team.
A cabinet sub-committee is due to discuss the issue of foreign travel today, including plans for “air bridges”.
Dr Tony Holohan says the risks of more people going abroad are clear:
Research into how many people in Ireland may have been infected with COVID-19 is underway.
The HSE has written to 5,000 people inviting them to take part in the study.
Participants complete a questionnaire and do a blood test.
The HSE’s National Clinical Director for Health Protection Dr Lorraine Doherty is urging people who have been asked to take part to do so.
