COVID-19 UPDATE: Death toll increases by 52 as Minister says there wil be no ‘big bang’ to end restrictions

Fifty-two more people have died after contracting Covid-19 as 377 more cases of the coronavirus were confirmed this evening.

It brings the overall Covid-19 death toll to 1,063, the Department of Health said.

Meanwhile, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said there will be no ‘big bang’ lifting of restrictions and if the Chief Medical Officer had to make a decision now on easing the current restrictions, he would be advising the Government against it.

The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan had earlier said the National Public Health Emergency Team has entered the weekend with a growing sense of concern about compliance with the strict travel restrictions and social distancing measures that have been in place since March 27.