Further 41 COVID-19 patients reported dead
A further 41 COVID-19 patients have died in the Republic, taking the death toll here to 406.
Meanwhile, 832 new cases have been confirmed across the country taking the national total to 11,479.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said 83% of the patients who have died from the virus had been suffering from underlying medical conditions.
The average age of the dead is 69-years-old.
Social distancing may be needed until 2022
A new study has warned that intermittent social distancing measures may need to be in place until 2022.
The paper, published in the journal Science, notes that further outbreaks of the virus are likely in the months after this initial pandemic wave.
It warns that the secondary peak could be larger than the current one if restrictions are viewed as one-time measures and are not followed up in the coming months.
It said that without a vaccine or recognised treatment, “prolonged or intermittent social distancing may be necessary into 2022.”
Varadkar and Martin agree to enter coalition
The leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have signed off on a policy document that could form the basis for an historic coalition between the two parties.
Following a meeting today, Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin agreed to work towards a majority government that can last for five years.
They agreed that they would enter government on an equal footing and that the coalition must include at least three parties.
The document, which was agreed by negotiators last week, is expected to form the basis of a programme for government and will be put to members of each Parliamentary Party tomorrow afternoon.
Ireland’s GDP to shrink by nearly 7% this year
The International Monetary fund has warned that the world is heading for the worst recession since the Great Depression of the early 1930s.
In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF said the COVID-19 outbreak has led to an almost unprecedented collapse in activity.
It said the global economy would contract by 3% this year – a far worse contraction than the 0.1% experienced during the 2009 financial crisis.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s GDP is forecast to shrink by 6.8% this year.
Mary Lou McDonald recovered from COVID-19
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has confirmed she tested positive for coronavirus.
She received a positive diagnosis yesterday, over two weeks after being tested on March 28th.
Deputy McDonald had been unable to attend recent Dáil sittings as she was feeling ill.
The Dublin Central TD said she has now been informed that she she is "no longer infected or infectious" - saying it is a "great relief after weeks of being very unwell."
