COVID-19 LATEST: 39 more die, almost 500 new cases of coronavirus, plans to re-open schools in summer
Thirty-nine more people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 493 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 610. There are now a total of 15,251 cases of Covid-19 in the country.
The vast majority (37) of the latest deaths were in the east of the country, with two in the west.
The latest casualties were confirmed by the Department of Health as it emerged health authorities will examine the potential of reopening primary schools on a limited basis, such as one day a week, in the summer.
Health Minister Simon Harris said officials will closely monitor the experience of other countries such as Denmark, which reopened its primary schools last week.
However, the minister insisted any decisions regarding easing current restrictions will be taken on the basis of public health advice.
“The issue of reopening schools is very much an open question,” he told The Irish Times
“All issues in relation to easing any restrictions will be considered by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and will follow public health advice.”