COVID-19 UPDATE: A further 59 die as Taoiseach tells Cabinet virus levels not low enough to allow easing of restrictions
A further 59 people lost their lives from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland in the last 24 hours, the HSE said this evening.
The total death toll here is now 1,159 while the number of confirmed cases has now reached 19,947 after another 299 were diagnosed.
The total number of deaths in Northern Ireland has reached 329 after 20 more people died, the highest daily rate increase, according to Public Health Agency figures.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Cabinet today that virus levels are not low enough to allow any easing of restrictions on May 5.
It is believed that a number of ministers said that the Government should start easing restrictions to give the public hope after weeks of lockdown.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will will meet on Friday to discuss the current restrictions before a Cabinet meeting later that day.
