theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: HSE seeks to hire all available healthcare workers

The HSE has said it is planning to take on as many doctors , nurses and healthcare staff as it can as part of a massive recruitment drive to tackle the coronavirus outbreak .
The HSE said on Tuesday that it wanted to establish pools of doctors , nurses , therapists and other grades in the expectation of widescale demand for health services in the weeks ahead .
The Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be no financial limits on the recruitment programme .
“ The only constraint will be the availability of people ” .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is suitably qualified to work in the Irish public system ” , Mr Harris said .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the health service was looking for qualified healthcare workers including medical , nursing and therapy personnel as well as healthcare assistants as part of a the recruitment campaign .
He said he hoped to see a “ massive number ” of applications under the recruitment scheme .
He said such staff would be needed to support the health service in the weeks ahead .
Mr Reid said the HSE had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had retired in the last four or five years .
“ Because of their experience and skill sets , we are very anxious to have them available to us ” However Mr Reid said the new campaign would be wider and more general than just seeking those who had retired from the health service in recent years .
Mr Harris said there may be other healthcare professionals who currently were working in a part-time basis who might consider moving to a full-time role .
“ We can help them with that ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that student nurses or students in other disciplines may apply even if they could not work as fully-fledged nurses .
He said there were other roles in the health service that they could take up .
“ We need all hands on deck .
This is a call for healthcare professionals to come help their country , ” he said .
Mr Reid said healthcare staff who were interested in taking up roles should register on the HSE website .
He said this process was not too detailed and should take about five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should set out their career details and their skill sets .
However he urged applicants “ to bear with us in this process ” .
“ We can not define right now the skills that we will need .
We know we will certainly need some clinical and nursing personnel .
“ We would like to move on that very quickly .
“ We do not know the full range of skills that we will need as we do not know the extent of what element of the [ existing ] workforce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody who applied under the recruitment programme would be contacted and interviewed over the phone .
Meanwhile , Nursing Homes Ireland ( NHI ) has appealed for people within the hospitality and retail sectors to look for opportunities to provide care to older people during the pandemic .
The representative body said the coronavirus outbreak will result in increased staffing needs .
Some of the roles that will become available on a temporary basis include nurses , physiotherapists , healthcare assistants , catering , activities organisers , and ancillary or administrative support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive of NHI , said a nursing home has to meet “ all the care needs of people who require specialised and highly dependent services on a round-the-clock basis ” .
“ One considerable concern is to ensure a staffing complement is consistently available to meet the day-to-day social care needs of nursing home residents , especially at a time of emergency and with visitor restrictions , ” he said .
“ Irish people have a tremendous ability to support one another during difficult times and this has never been more required.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can “ contribute to care of older people ” to submit a CV to them , outlining their skillset and qualifications .

Minister for Health Simon Harris said the only constraint to the HSE recruitment campaign will be the availability of people. Photograph: Alan Betson
The HSE has said it is planning to take on as many doctors, nurses and healthcare staff as it can as part of a massive recruitment drive to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
The HSE said on Tuesday that it wanted to establish pools of doctors, nurses, therapists and other grades in the expectation of widescale demand for health services in the weeks ahead.
The Minister for Health Simon Harris said there would be no financial limits on the recruitment programme.
“The only constraint will be the availability of people”.
READ MORE
“The health service can hire everybody and anybody who is suitably qualified to work in the Irish public system”, Mr Harris said.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the health service was looking for qualified healthcare workers including medical, nursing and therapy personnel as well as healthcare assistants as part of a the recruitment campaign.
He said he hoped to see a “massive number”of applications under the recruitment scheme.
He said such staff would be needed to support the health service in the weeks ahead.
Retired staff
Mr Reid said the HSE had already proactively reached out to personnel who had retired in the last four or five years.
“Because of their experience and skill sets, we are very anxious to have them available to us”
However Mr Reid said the new campaign would be wider and more general than just seeking those who had retired from the health service in recent years.
Mr Harris said there may be other healthcare professionals who currently were working in a part-time basis who might consider moving to a full-time role.
“We can help them with that”, the Minister said.
Mr Harris suggested that student nurses or students in other disciplines may apply even if they could not work as fully-fledged nurses. He said there were other roles in the health service that they could take up.
“We need all hands on deck. This is a call for healthcare professionals to come help their country,” he said.
Mr Reid said healthcare staff who were interested in taking up roles should register on the HSE website.
He said this process was not too detailed and should take about five minutes to complete. He said applicants should set out their career details and their skill sets.
However he urged applicants “to bear with us in this process”.
“We cannot define right now the skills that we will need. We know we will certainly need some clinical and nursing personnel.
“We would like to move on that very quickly.
“We do not know the full range of skills that we will need as we do not know the extent of what element of the [existing] workforce that will get sick.”
The Minister said anybody who applied under the recruitment programme would be contacted and interviewed over the phone.
Carers
Meanwhile, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) has appealed for people within the hospitality and retail sectors to look for opportunities to provide care to older people during the pandemic.
The representative body said the coronavirus outbreak will result in increased staffing needs. Some of the roles that will become available on a temporary basis include nurses, physiotherapists, healthcare assistants, catering, activities organisers, and ancillary or administrative support, the group said.
Tadhg Daly, chief executive of NHI, said a nursing home has to meet “all the care needs of people who require specialised and highly dependent services on a round-the-clock basis”.
“One considerable concern is to ensure a staffing complement is consistently available to meet the day-to-day social care needs of nursing home residents, especially at a time of emergency and with visitor restrictions,” he said.
“Irish people have a tremendous ability to support one another during difficult times and this has never been more required.”
NHI called on people who feel they can “contribute to care of older people” to submit a CV to them, outlining their skillset and qualifications.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--St Patrick’s Day in Waterford: ‘It was eerie... There were no people on the streets’

Music is blasting out across a near-empty Sir John Roberts Square in Waterford city , at lunchtime on St Patrick ’ s Day .
The speakers outside Gadget Man are playing two songs on repeat : Don ’ t Stand So Close To Me by The Police , and Things Can Only Get Better by D : ream .
The music shatters the silence of what must be the strangest St Patrick ’ s Day the city has ever experienced .
“ We have to have a bit of humour and keep our spirit up , ” says Dean Lavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few customers , mostly “ people panicking with chargers breaking .
We had a lot of people in yesterday , thinking that they should get something now for their child ’ s birthday in April , just in case the shops don ’ t reopen ” , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s one of the few shops in the city centre which doesn ’ t have its shutters down and a “ Closed Until Further Notice ” sign outside .
The other is Penney ’ s .
Apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is no sign this should have been a national day of celebration .
There are several gardaí and only a handful of people on the streets , mostly hurrying along with their heads down .
People waiting for the bus stand well over two metres apart .
When the buses pull up , they frequently have only a single passenger on board .
Earlier in the morning , as a Dickensian fog settled over the city , Darajane O ’ Sullivan walked through almost empty streets along the route the parade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eerie .
There were no barriers set up .
There were no people on the streets , ” says the communications manager of the Waterford St Patrick ’ s Day Parade .
The news that the parade was off was not unexpected .
“ It ’ s the right thing , ” O ’ Sullivan says .
But that doesn ’ t lessen the blow .
“ We were ordering shamrock until an hour before the call came .
Months of planning go into it .
Apart from the economic effects , everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they produce , ” she says .
“ What really matters is making sure we ’ re safe and well , and our loved ones are safe and well .
All the rest can be salvaged in time.
” TV Honan is surrounded by floats that should have had their debut in festivals around the country today in the Spraoi Studios on the outskirts of the city .
“ It ’ s like the Mary Celeste in here .
All the floats that are meant to be all over Ireland in parades are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s looking on the bright side .
His spirits were lifted earlier when he got a video of his grandson , Austin Grubb , making his own miniature parade at home with his toys .
“ It ’ s been a bit of a downer .
But at least one of our family got to be involved in a parade this year.
” The Granville Hotel on Meagher ’ s Quay should have been enjoying a double celebration of the national holiday and its 40th birthday on St Patrick ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day before to let staff know the hotel is closing until further notice .

Music is blasting out across a near-empty Sir John Roberts Square in Waterford city, at lunchtime on St Patrick's Day. The speakers outside Gadget Man are playing two songs on repeat: Don't Stand So Close To Me by The Police, and Things Can Only Get Better by D:ream.
The music shatters the silence of what must be the strangest St Patrick’s Day the city has ever experienced. “We have to have a bit of humour and keep our spirit up,” says Dean Lavin behind the counter.
There have been a few customers, mostly “people panicking with chargers breaking. We had a lot of people in yesterday, thinking that they should get something now for their child’s birthday in April, just in case the shops don’t reopen”, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s one of the few shops in the city centre which doesn’t have its shutters down and a “Closed Until Further Notice” sign outside. The other is Penney’s.
READ MORE
Apart from the odd tricolour in a window, there is no sign this should have been a national day of celebration. There are several gardaí and only a handful of people on the streets, mostly hurrying along with their heads down. People waiting for the bus stand well over two metres apart. When the buses pull up, they frequently have only a single passenger on board.
Earlier in the morning, as a Dickensian fog settled over the city, Darajane O’Sullivan walked through almost empty streets along the route the parade should have followed.
“It was eerie. There were no barriers set up. There were no people on the streets,” says the communications manager of the Waterford St Patrick’s Day Parade.
The news that the parade was off was not unexpected. “It’s the right thing,” O’Sullivan says.
But that doesn’t lessen the blow. “We were ordering shamrock until an hour before the call came. Months of planning go into it. Apart from the economic effects, everyone puts their heart and soul into what they produce,” she says.
“What really matters is making sure we’re safe and well, and our loved ones are safe and well. All the rest can be salvaged in time.”
TV Honan is surrounded by floats that should have had their debut in festivals around the country today in the Spraoi Studios on the outskirts of the city. "It's like the Mary Celeste in here. All the floats that are meant to be all over Ireland in parades are still here on site."
But he’s looking on the bright side. His spirits were lifted earlier when he got a video of his grandson, Austin Grubb, making his own miniature parade at home with his toys. “It’s been a bit of a downer. But at least one of our family got to be involved in a parade this year.”
The Granville Hotel on Meagher's Quay should have been enjoying a double celebration of the national holiday and its 40th birthday on St Patrick's Day. Instead, a meeting was called the day before to let staff know the hotel is closing until further notice.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: HSE emergency line ‘inundated’ with general queries

The HSE may run out of testing equipment for coronavirus for the coming days following a huge increase in the number of people worried they have the disease , officials have said .
“ We may run out of swabbing equipment ” for carrying out tests before a consignment of 30,000 new kits arrives on Thursday , HSE chief operations officer Anne O ’ Connor conceded .
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said there had been a “ huge surge ” of calls over the weekend , which had “ clogged up ” the 999/112 emergency line .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 calls a days , had received 124,000 calls over the weekend .
Mr Reid urged the public not to use the emergency line .
Ms O ’ Connor told a media briefing on Tuesday that the emergency phone-line is being “ inundated ” with calls from people with general queries , when it has no role in referring patients for tests .
She urged people with concerns to look up the HSE website before picking up the phone and said the HSE helpline on the virus is merely an information service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ online on Friday but was hit by an IT glitch that morning .
Ms O ’ Connor said this has been addressed by Friday lunchtime .
A “ huge ” number of people have been referred for tests since GPs were able to do this last week , she acknowledged , and this “ will take some time to work through ” .
Officials declined to say what the current waiting time is , beyond saying it is “ a number of days ” .
HSE chief clinical officer Colm Henry said testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there was huge demand for swabbing equipment , while the number of centres processing tests would be increased to 10 later this week .
People awaiting tests need to self-isolate while waiting , he stressed , adding that the test would not make a difference to their condition .
Dr Henry said testing someone with no symptoms was of no value and depleted valuable resources .
He urged people with worries to contact their doctor .
HSE public health specialist Dr Sarah Doyle said people awaiting a test should have information ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacts should restrict their movements .
There have also been delays in providing processing and providing test results but these are expected to ease as the number of labs doing this work is expanded .
More than 1,200 people have been recruited to work on tracing the close contacts of people confirmed to have the disease , Mr Reid said .
Normally , 60 public health staff work in contact tracing .
Some 200 of these will work on organising care and self-isolation .
Another 1,000 will conduct detailed callbacks , or interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with contacts .
Mr Reid said the aim of the HSE operational plan for to provide the highest level of care those the sickest in hospitals , but treat most people in the community .
The plan aimed to reduce the volume of people who need to go to hospital , and to massively scale up capacity in the system .
Capacity in the system has been doubled , indicated with an additional 10,000 beds available to support various levels of treatment .
Mr Reid said constructive discussions had taken place with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more talks were planned in the coming days .
He said the health service was not in a “ race for time ” over the coming days and it was vital people complied with the key measures of social distancing and correct respiratory etiquette .
Procurement of medical equipment was proving a very difficult challenge worldwide , particularly in relation to ventilators and protective gear , he said .
An extra 300 ventilators have been procured on top of the existing 500 , with 100 more a week to come , while ICU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector , now stood at 500 beds .
There are also another 1,000 high-level beds available .

(Left to right) HSE head of communications Paul Connors; interpreter Romy O’Callaghan; Anne O’Connor, HSE chief operations officer; Paul Reid, HSE chief executive; Dr Colm Henry, HSE chief clinical officer and Dr Sarah Doyle, consultant in public health medicine, are pictured at the HSE Covid-19 update on Tuesday. Photograph: Sasko Lazatov/Photocall Ireland.
The HSE may run out of testing equipment for coronavirus for the coming days following a huge increase in the number of people worried they have the disease, officials have said.
“We may run out of swabbing equipment” for carrying out tests before a consignment of 30,000 new kits arrives on Thursday, HSE chief operations officer Anne O’Connor conceded.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid said there had been a “huge surge” of calls over the weekend, which had “clogged up” the 999/112 emergency line.
Meanwhile, the HSE helpline, which normally gets 500 calls a days, had received 124,000 calls over the weekend.
READ MORE
Mr Reid urged the public not to use the emergency line.
Ms O’Connor told a media briefing on Tuesday that the emergency phone-line is being “inundated” with calls from people with general queries, when it has no role in referring patients for tests.
She urged people with concerns to look up the HSE website before picking up the phone and said the HSE helpline on the virus is merely an information service.
The referral of people for tests went online on Friday but was hit by an IT glitch that morning. Ms O’Connor said this has been addressed by Friday lunchtime.
A “huge” number of people have been referred for tests since GPs were able to do this last week, she acknowledged, and this “will take some time to work through”.
Officials declined to say what the current waiting time is, beyond saying it is “a number of days”.
Processing
HSE chief clinical officer Colm Henry said testing capability had expanded as a huge pace but there was huge demand for swabbing equipment, while the number of centres processing tests would be increased to 10 later this week.
People awaiting tests need to self-isolate while waiting, he stressed, adding that the test would not make a difference to their condition.
Dr Henry said testing someone with no symptoms was of no value and depleted valuable resources. He urged people with worries to contact their doctor.
HSE public health specialist Dr Sarah Doyle said people awaiting a test should have information ready on their contacts, while their household contacts should restrict their movements.
There have also been delays in providing processing and providing test results but these are expected to ease as the number of labs doing this work is expanded.
More than 1,200 people have been recruited to work on tracing the close contacts of people confirmed to have the disease, Mr Reid said. Normally, 60 public health staff work in contact tracing.
Some 200 of these will work on organising care and self-isolation. Another 1,000 will conduct detailed callbacks, or interviews, with confirmed cases and on following up with contacts.
Mr Reid said the aim of the HSE operational plan for to provide the highest level of care those the sickest in hospitals, but treat most people in the community.
The plan aimed to reduce the volume of people who need to go to hospital, and to massively scale up capacity in the system.
Capacity in the system has been doubled, indicated with an additional 10,000 beds available to support various levels of treatment.
Constructive discussions
Mr Reid said constructive discussions had taken place with private hospitals about using their capacity and more talks were planned in the coming days.
He said the health service was not in a “race for time” over the coming days and it was vital people complied with the key measures of social distancing and correct respiratory etiquette.
Procurement of medical equipment was proving a very difficult challenge worldwide, particularly in relation to ventilators and protective gear, he said.
An extra 300 ventilators have been procured on top of the existing 500, with 100 more a week to come, while ICU capacity, including that in the private sector, now stood at 500 beds. There are also another 1,000 high-level beds available.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Extreme temperature events in Dublin up 20% in eight years

Analysis of 40 years of Dublin ’ s temperature records shows extreme temperature events have increased by up to 20 per cent in just eight years .
The findings have implications for public health , and indicate how climate change will impact on the capital in coming years .
Researchers from Maynooth University and University College Dublin ( UCD ) have for the first time produced a complete picture of the behaviour of extreme temperature events across the Dublin region – the study was funded by the EPA .
The scientists examined temperatures which would be considered extremely warm relative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at which they occurred .
These ranged from 13 degrees in December and January , to more than 30 degrees in July .
Extreme weather can cause serious public health issues ; the 2019 heatwave was estimated to have caused 900 extra deaths in England .
It can also cause serious economic damage to agriculture , industry and transport , as well as to energy and water infrastructure .
The 2011-2018 period showed a large rise in the number of temperature extremes compared to 1981-2010 .
The researchers developed a technique for measuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the size and occurrences of future extreme events , using a newly-created data set generated by Met Éireann ’ s head of climate and observations Séamus Walsh .
The extreme temperature increases varied across Co Dublin , with Casement Aerodrome having 20 per cent more extreme events , and Phoenix Park 7 per cent compared to a baseline period of 1981-2010 .
At Casement there were 12 extreme temperature events in the 2011-2018 period ( 1.5 per year ) compared to 34 in the entire 30 years up to 2010 ( 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the journal Environmetrics shows 20 per cent more extreme weather events occurred between 2011-2018 , when considered against baseline temperatures expected in an unchanging climate .
Lead author Dr John O ’ Sullivan , who is based in UCD , said the new approach enabled them to generate “ a climate snap shot ” , and led to very surprising results .
“ We were able to combine mathematical methods with new ideas in data analytics which enable us to look at how extremes change across the entire Dublin region.
” Extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Netherlands and Belgium recorded their highest ever temperatures of 38.8 degrees and 39.9 degrees in July 2019 , and a new record of 41.9 degrees was set in Australia last December – resulting fires were identified by scientists as consistent with global heating .
“ This analysis is state of the art in terms of the combination of mathematics , data science , statistics and climatology , ” said Prof Andrew Parnell of the Hamilton Institute and the SFI insight centre for data analytics at Maynooth University .
He said there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating cause and potential solutions to climate disruption issues at a local , national and global level .
“ With ambitious climate-change targets set for 2030 , Ireland should be a major player in climate-change research , but currently we lag behind in investment and are bottom of the league table in climate action.
” He said publication of this research with the help of EPA funding would , however , enhance Ireland ’ s reputation in climate science .
Co-author Dr Conor Sweeney of UCD Earth Institute said : “ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data set to characterise extremes .
We hope that this analysis provides a marker on which others can build to provide a complete picture of how climate change is affecting Ireland .
“ We only have a complete climate data set up to 2010 .
More work is needed to complete the analysis so as to measure the rate at which extreme temperatures are increasing across Ireland .
”

The extreme temperature increases varied across Co Dublin, with Casement Aerodrome having 20% more extreme events, and Phoenix Park 7% compared to a baseline period of 1981-2010. Photograph: Getty Images
Analysis of 40 years of Dublin’s temperature records shows extreme temperature events have increased by up to 20 per cent in just eight years.
The findings have implications for public health, and indicate how climate change will impact on the capital in coming years.
Researchers from Maynooth University and University College Dublin (UCD) have for the first time produced a complete picture of the behaviour of extreme temperature events across the Dublin region – the study was funded by the EPA.
The scientists examined temperatures which would be considered extremely warm relative to the time of year and location at which they occurred. These ranged from 13 degrees in December and January, to more than 30 degrees in July.
READ MORE
Extreme weather can cause serious public health issues; the 2019 heatwave was estimated to have caused 900 extra deaths in England.
It can also cause serious economic damage to agriculture, industry and transport, as well as to energy and water infrastructure.
The 2011-2018 period showed a large rise in the number of temperature extremes compared to 1981-2010. The researchers developed a technique for measuring extreme temperatures which allows scientists to benchmark against the size and occurrences of future extreme events, using a newly-created data set generated by Met Éireann’s head of climate and observations Séamus Walsh.
The extreme temperature increases varied across Co Dublin, with Casement Aerodrome having 20 per cent more extreme events, and Phoenix Park 7 per cent compared to a baseline period of 1981-2010.
At Casement there were 12 extreme temperature events in the 2011-2018 period (1.5 per year) compared to 34 in the entire 30 years up to 2010 (1.1 per year).
Their study published in the journal Environmetrics shows 20 per cent more extreme weather events occurred between 2011-2018, when considered against baseline temperatures expected in an unchanging climate.
New approach
Lead author Dr John O’Sullivan, who is based in UCD, said the new approach enabled them to generate “a climate snap shot”, and led to very surprising results.
“We were able to combine mathematical methods with new ideas in data analytics which enable us to look at how extremes change across the entire Dublin region.”
Extreme temperatures across the world are soaring. The Netherlands and Belgium recorded their highest ever temperatures of 38.8 degrees and 39.9 degrees in July 2019, and a new record of 41.9 degrees was set in Australia last December – resulting fires were identified by scientists as consistent with global heating.
"This analysis is state of the art in terms of the combination of mathematics, data science, statistics and climatology," said Prof Andrew Parnell of the Hamilton Institute and the SFI insight centre for data analytics at Maynooth University.
He said there was an ever-increasing imperative to look at trends indicating cause and potential solutions to climate disruption issues at a local, national and global level.
"With ambitious climate-change targets set for 2030, Ireland should be a major player in climate-change research, but currently we lag behind in investment and are bottom of the league table in climate action."
He said publication of this research with the help of EPA funding would, however, enhance Ireland’s reputation in climate science.
Marker
Co-author Dr Conor Sweeney of UCD Earth Institute said: "We are the first group to use this new data set to characterise extremes. We hope that this analysis provides a marker on which others can build to provide a complete picture of how climate change is affecting Ireland.
“We only have a complete climate data set up to 2010. More work is needed to complete the analysis so as to measure the rate at which extreme temperatures are increasing across Ireland.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: Trinity students criticise move to shut campus housing

Students living in Trinity College Dublin accommodation have described the university ’ s decision to shut student housing and force residents to vacate rooms within 24 hours notice as “ egregious ” .
The decision was taken in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus among students living in close-quartered accommodation .
Late on Monday night students received an email informing them that on-campus housing , Trinity Halls in Rathmines , and private student accommodation partnered with Trinity must be vacated by 8pm the next day .
International students were given 48 hours to pack their belongings and leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would make exceptions if a student was at risk of homelessness , faced visa or travel restrictions , or if a member of their family at home had the virus .
It later clarified these would include students who had immunocompromised family members .
Aaron Koay ( 24 ) is an international student from Malaysia in his final year of pharmacy , who lives on the Trinity city centre campus .
“ Essentially , we were told to pack away our life , book our flights and fly home , all under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish Times .
“ Some students and their families just simply do not have the financial abilities to pay for the flights under such short notice , especially those from non-EU countries , ” he said .
Mr Koay is currently working on placement as part of his course and if he is forced to return to Malaysia would have to defer finishing his degree , he said .
“ International travelling at this moment is a risky move .
.
.
the last thing I want to do is to unwillingly perpetuate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Trinity , however internal correspondence shows none of those are student residents .
Trinity confirmed students in college-owned housing would receive refunds on rent , but that it could only “ support ” students seeking refunds from private student housing providers it partners with , Kavanagh Court and Binary Hub .
Lorna Fitzpatrick , president of the Union of Students in Ireland ( USI ) said the lack of discussion with students prior to the decision was “ extremely concerning ” .
Elizabeth Younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living on the Trinity campus , and described the decision to close the accommodation as “ egregious.
” Previously Trinity advised students to temporarily return home following the two-week closure of colleges .
Ms Younger returned to Southampton but left the majority of her belongings in her flat , expecting to return in a short number of weeks .
When she received the notice the college was closing its accommodation she booked a flight back to Dublin on Tuesday to pick up her things , with the two trips costing her £180 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually legal , even with the rent refunds , as college accommodation is now covered by the Residential Tenancies Board , ” she said .
“ I live in a flat with three people , and obviously I would see my flatmates but not many other people in the accommodation , ” she said , adding the conditions were no different to apartment blocks across Dublin city centre .
Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird ( 23 ) is a third-year history student and a wheelchair user living on the campus front square .
Her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday from Kildare , as their car will not fit her suitcases and wheelchair , she said .
The university should “ absolutely ” have flagged the possibility accommodation would be closed earlier , and “ the most difficult part is the fact it ’ s 24 hours notice , ” she said .
On Tuesday , Trinity Provost Prof Patrick Prendergast said “ no student will have to leave who has no other accommodation , ” and the deadline to vacate rooms could be extended for students who needed to book @ @ @ @ @ @

Students living in Trinity College Dublin accommodation have described the university's decision to shut student housing and force residents to vacate rooms within 24 hours notice as "egregious".
The decision was taken in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus among students living in close-quartered accommodation.
Late on Monday night students received an email informing them that on-campus housing, Trinity Halls in Rathmines, and private student accommodation partnered with Trinity must be vacated by 8pm the next day.
International students were given 48 hours to pack their belongings and leave the accommodation by Wednesday.
READ MORE
The university said it would make exceptions if a student was at risk of homelessness, faced visa or travel restrictions, or if a member of their family at home had the virus. It later clarified these would include students who had immunocompromised family members.
Aaron Koay (24) is an international student from Malaysia in his final year of pharmacy, who lives on the Trinity city centre campus.
“Essentially, we were told to pack away our life, book our flights and fly home, all under 48 hours,” he told The Irish Times.
“Some students and their families just simply do not have the financial abilities to pay for the flights under such short notice, especially those from non-EU countries,” he said.
Mr Koay is currently working on placement as part of his course and if he is forced to return to Malaysia would have to defer finishing his degree, he said.
“International travelling at this moment is a risky move . . . the last thing I want to do is to unwillingly perpetuate the disease,” he said.
Confirmed cases
There have been eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Trinity, however internal correspondence shows none of those are student residents.
Trinity confirmed students in college-owned housing would receive refunds on rent, but that it could only “support” students seeking refunds from private student housing providers it partners with, Kavanagh Court and Binary Hub.
Lorna Fitzpatrick, president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said the lack of discussion with students prior to the decision was "extremely concerning".
Elizabeth Younger (22) is a history student living on the Trinity campus, and described the decision to close the accommodation as “egregious.”
Previously Trinity advised students to temporarily return home following the two-week closure of colleges. Ms Younger returned to Southampton but left the majority of her belongings in her flat, expecting to return in a short number of weeks.
When she received the notice the college was closing its accommodation she booked a flight back to Dublin on Tuesday to pick up her things, with the two trips costing her £180.
“I question whether this decision is actually legal, even with the rent refunds, as college accommodation is now covered by the Residential Tenancies Board,” she said.
“I live in a flat with three people, and obviously I would see my flatmates but not many other people in the accommodation,” she said, adding the conditions were no different to apartment blocks across Dublin city centre.
Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird (23) is a third-year history student and a wheelchair user living on the campus front square.
Her family would have to make two car trips on Tuesday from Kildare, as their car will not fit her suitcases and wheelchair, she said.
The university should “absolutely” have flagged the possibility accommodation would be closed earlier, and “the most difficult part is the fact it’s 24 hours notice,” she said.
On Tuesday, Trinity Provost Prof Patrick Prendergast said "no student will have to leave who has no other accommodation," and the deadline to vacate rooms could be extended for students who needed to book overseas flights to return home.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--St Patrick’s Day in Dublin: ‘We didn’t think it would be as bad as this’

Dublin has never seen a St Patrick ’ s Day quite like it .
At the appointed hour of 11am , when the parade traditionally moves off watched by crowds sometimes six deep on the pavements of O ’ Connell Street , all was still save for the low hum of a mechanical sweeper trundling along Lower Abbey Street .
Dublin has had to cancel St Patrick ’ s Day parades before , most recently in 2001 during the Foot and Mouth Disease scare , but that didn ’ t stop the pubs staying open .
Even when the pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the 20th century because St Patrick ’ s Day was a holy day that fell during Lent , there was always the RDS Dog Show .
There the habitues of some of the city ’ s best known watering holes discovered their annual interest in pedigrees and dog breeding .
On this St Patrick ’ s Day , there was no pubs open , no dog show and everything was closed save a few chain fast food outlets and coffee shops – all performing a novel form of social distancing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GPO , driver Cillian McBradaigh waited for passengers for the open-top bus tour of Dublin .
St Patrick ’ s Day usually marks the start of the tourism season , but not this year .
“ I had two passengers this morning , Canadians .
Normally you ’ d be full this time of year , ” he says .
“ Last year we were so busy we would have to say , ‘ sorry guys , we are busy .
There will be another one along in 10 to 15 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bus drivers .
We are finishing up the tour side today .
I ’ ll go back to driving the 123 .
I ’ ll still have a job.
” The only people out and about on St Patrick ’ s Day in Dublin wearing green were tourists – Irish people tend to give the big parade a wide berth anyway , though Rathmines resident Brien McEniff got admiring glances while he took his Great Dane Django for a walk wearing a green dicky-bow .
Many groups of tourists were wandering around like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got so bad that even the Irish were shutting the pubs on St Patrick ’ s Day of all days .
It was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for Martin Simmons ( 60 ) from Dorset , England , who was born on St Patrick ’ s Day .
A group of 10 of them arrived in Dublin on Monday to celebrate his roundy birthday .
“ It ’ s a surprise alright , ” said his friend Ian Acton .
“ When we got here , we couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were supposed to be doing the Guinness tour and were hoping against hope that their hotel would serve them later .
Outside O ’ Connell ’ s pub on Bachelors Walk manager Declan Cummins handed out St Patrick ’ s Day hats to passers-by seeing as he had no use for them otherwise .
His pub , which is 100m from O ’ Connell Bridge , is usually packed with tourists from 11am on the national holiday even though they don ’ t serve drink untl midday .
This was his first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 years .
“ I feel more sorry for you than I do for us .
You can have a free hat , but no free beer , ” he says .
Colin and Debbie Bood , from Wolverhampton in England , have been coming to Dublin ’ s St Patrick ’ s Festival for the last 15 years .
March 17th is their wedding anniversary and it ’ s also her Irish-born father ’ s birthday .
They arrived in Dublin on Monday morning .
“ We knew that the parade was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know you couldn ’ t get a pint of Guinness , ” she said .
“ We didn ’ t think it would be as bad as this.
” Colin continued : “ It ’ s appearances that count .
When you see all those masks , it starts to make you think , whereas in the UK you rarely see a mask.
” In Temple Bar , usually the epicentre of St Patrick ’ s Day revelry , the only ones wandering about were a few gardaí wearing rubber gloves and tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the memo that Ireland is a no craic zone for the foreseeable future .
It will be American tourist Zach Meschke ’ s 30th birthday on Friday .
He and his girlfriend Miranda Polipnick have travelled to Ireland with eight friends , one of whom turns 30 today .
“ We will be spending Zach ’ s birthday isolating at home , ” said Polipnick .
They face quarantine when they return to the United States on Wednesday .
“ It could be worse .
We could be scrambling to get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All the pubs are shut in his native Minnesota anyway , he adds .
The no craic zone has gone global .

Following the cancellation of all the St Patrick’s Day parades due to take place across the State on Tuesday, and in light of restrictions on social gatherings and the closure of all pubs Dublin was a very different place this St Patricks day.
Dublin has never seen a St Patrick’s Day quite like it.
At the appointed hour of 11am, when the parade traditionally moves off watched by crowds sometimes six deep on the pavements of O'Connell Street, all was still save for the low hum of a mechanical sweeper trundling along Lower Abbey Street.
Dublin has had to cancel St Patrick’s Day parades before, most recently in 2001 during the Foot and Mouth Disease scare, but that didn’t stop the pubs staying open.
Even when the pubs were shut, as they were for most of the 20th century because St Patrick’s Day was a holy day that fell during Lent, there was always the RDS Dog Show.
READ MORE
There the habitues of some of the city’s best known watering holes discovered their annual interest in pedigrees and dog breeding.
On this St Patrick’s Day, there was no pubs open, no dog show and everything was closed save a few chain fast food outlets and coffee shops – all performing a novel form of social distancing by cordoning off every second table.
Outside the GPO, driver Cillian McBradaigh waited for passengers for the open-top bus tour of Dublin.
St Patrick’s Day usually marks the start of the tourism season, but not this year.
“I had two passengers this morning, Canadians. Normally you’d be full this time of year,” he says. “Last year we were so busy we would have to say, ‘sorry guys, we are busy. There will be another one along in 10 to 15 minutes’.
"We are all Dublin Bus drivers. We are finishing up the tour side today. I'll go back to driving the 123. I'll still have a job."
The only people out and about on St Patrick's Day in Dublin wearing green were tourists – Irish people tend to give the big parade a wide berth anyway, though Rathmines resident Brien McEniff got admiring glances while he took his Great Dane Django for a walk wearing a green dicky-bow.
Many groups of tourists were wandering around like motherless foals scarcely believing that things had got so bad that even the Irish were shutting the pubs on St Patrick’s Day of all days.
It was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for Martin Simmons (60) from Dorset, England, who was born on St Patrick's Day. A group of 10 of them arrived in Dublin on Monday to celebrate his roundy birthday.
Tourists pictured in the Temple Bar area on t Patrick’s Day. Photograph: Aidan Crawley/EPA
"It's a surprise alright," said his friend Ian Acton. "When we got here, we couldn't find food or drink or anything."
They were supposed to be doing the Guinness tour and were hoping against hope that their hotel would serve them later.
Outside O'Connell's pub on Bachelors Walk manager Declan Cummins handed out St Patrick's Day hats to passers-by seeing as he had no use for them otherwise.
His pub, which is 100m from O’Connell Bridge, is usually packed with tourists from 11am on the national holiday even though they don’t serve drink untl midday. This was his first St Patrick’s Day off in 36 years.
“I feel more sorry for you than I do for us. You can have a free hat, but no free beer,” he says.
Colin and Debbie Bood, from Wolverhampton in England, have been coming to Dublin's St Patrick's Festival for the last 15 years. March 17th is their wedding anniversary and it's also her Irish-born father's birthday.
They arrived in Dublin on Monday morning.
“We knew that the parade was off, but we didn’t know you couldn’t get a pint of Guinness,” she said. “We didn’t think it would be as bad as this.”
Colin continued: “It’s appearances that count. When you see all those masks, it starts to make you think, whereas in the UK you rarely see a mask.”
In Temple Bar, usually the epicentre of St Patrick's Day revelry, the only ones wandering about were a few gardaí wearing rubber gloves and tourists dressed in green who seemingly did not get the memo that Ireland is a no craic zone for the foreseeable future.
It will be American tourist Zach Meschke's 30th birthday on Friday. He and his girlfriend Miranda Polipnick have travelled to Ireland with eight friends, one of whom turns 30 today.
"We will be spending Zach's birthday isolating at home," said Polipnick. They face quarantine when they return to the United States on Wednesday.
"It could be worse. We could be scrambling to get a flight home," said Meschke. All the pubs are shut in his native Minnesota anyway, he adds.
The no craic zone has gone global.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: 69 new cases confirmed in State as total rises to 292

A further 69 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the State , bringing the total number to 292 .
The HSE ’ s Health Protection Surveillance Centre ( HPSC ) said on Tuesday that the latest Covid-19 cases involved 29 males and 40 females .
Of these , 48 were in the east of the State , 13 were in south , five were in the northwest and three were in the west .
The number of deaths associated with the pandemic in Ireland remains at two .
“ The HSE is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them with information and advice to prevent further spread , ” the Department of Health said in a statement .
Health officials met on Tuesday to discuss the approach to the outbreak to date with medical colleagues from across the health service .
“ Cooperation across the health service has never been more important and I would like to thank our colleagues in their ongoing efforts to help us to prepare for and limit the spread of Covid-19 , ” chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said .
Ten new cases of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figures released by the North ’ s Department of Health ( DoH ) on Tuesday .
There are now a total of 62 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland .
The number of tests carried out now stands at 1,338 , though patients with mild symptoms who are at home are not being tested and therefore are not included in the testing totals , the department said .
The advice for anyone with mild symptoms - a new , persistent cough and/or fever - is to stay at home and self-isolate for seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GPs for advice on coronavirus will no longer be charged for their consultations under arrangements agreed with the Department of Health .
Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) president Padraig McGarry said the measures would “ take the burden off patients.
” “ We have been inundated with requests for tests , and certainly the Minister ( for Health Simon Harris ) has put in place supports to allow us to continue and give us financial support to not charge patients for the advice that we give on the phone , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will certainly take the burden off patients and in this regard.
” Mr McGarry said this applied to consultations in relation to Covid-19 testing .
Mr Harris said a massive number of tests will be carried out in the coming days and weeks and that the intention was to have 30 testing centres open .
He also said coronavirus will eventually become so prevalent that testing may stop in many countries but “ we are nowhere near that point ” .
The Minister said this was “ a very different St Patrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bars and parades have closed , and at a time when we usually like to come together to celebrate our country we ’ re asking people to stay apart .
“ That is something that ’ s very hard for us to do on a human level because we ’ re social creatures .
But still I think our national day is also the day where we should remember what ’ s good about our country , and Ireland is always known for being resilient.
” He said the biggest concern was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something that will not affect them .
The HSE is launching a recruitment drive and Mr Harris said every graduate who wants one will now be offered an internship .
He said it is a “ call for Ireland ” and said it was “ all hands on deck.
” Meanwhile , the GAA ’ s director of communications has said Croke Park may not be the only of the organisation ’ s venues to be used by the HSE to provide coronavirus testing facilities .
Alan Milton told RTÉ ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming for testing would arrive at Croke Park via Sackville Avenue in Ballybough .
He said people would be processed in the outer Cusack Stand car park before driving through a service tunnel where tests will be carried out before cars departed via St Joseph ’ s Avenue .
Mr Milton said that at no stage would people coming for tests leave their cars and that the GAA had discussed the plan with residents living near the stadium in an effort to provide reassurances .
He said it would operate in a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NCT ) site .
“ This is not a walk up facility .
It is by appointment only .
It has to be this way.
” He said Croke Park ’ s lay out lends itself to such an operation and the stadium ’ s operations staff had been working “ very methodically ” with the HSE to streamline the service .
“ This is an unusual ask of the stadium , but we were glad to do so .
Overall the feedback from the community has been very positive in nature .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are buying into the greater good.
” Meanwhile , the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland ( RCSI ) has called for the Medical Council , the Department of Health and the HSE to set out an explicit statement regarding the “ real professional and ethical challenges ” faced by doctors on foot of the outbreak .
The college said it fully understood the concerns of some surgeons about the risks associated with working outside their own speciality during the crisis .
“ Surgeons are well trained and competent in the emergency management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent patient needs , some surgeons may have to work outside their regular area of practice , ” it said in a statement on Tuesday .
“ Training on the job , inter-professional support , protocols of care and supervision will be important in ensuring that the ‘ core competence ’ of all practitioners can be used safely while they work in an extended role.
” The RCSI warned that scheduled surgical care and outpatient clinics would inevitably be curtailed for an indefinite period during the pandemic “ and we can not overestimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients ” .
“ Surgeons must engage with patients and the wider health care community to ensure patients are kept informed and supported .
We must also work to ensure that , when the situation allows , affected patients have their surgery.
” Separately , the Irish Cancer Society has said the postponement of planned cancer operations would cause anxiety among patients .
Its chief executive Averil Power said clear communications on this issue was essential .
“ The HSE has assured us that only non-urgent cancer surgeries are being postponed and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by case basis by patients ’ doctors , ” she said .
“ Postponement of non-urgent care is to be expected during this unprecedented public health crisis .
However , it will cause a lot of anxiety for patients.
” “ Patients need individual reassurance that the delayed treatment is not urgent and that their survival and quality of life will not be affected .
It is also essential they have an opportunity to discuss any concerns with their care team .
”

A further 69 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the State, bringing the total number to 292. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA Wire.
A further 69 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the State, bringing the total number to 292.
The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said on Tuesday that the latest Covid-19 cases involved 29 males and 40 females. Of these, 48 were in the east of the State, 13 were in south, five were in the northwest and three were in the west.
The number of deaths associated with the pandemic in Ireland remains at two.
“The HSE is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread,” the Department of Health said in a statement.
READ MORE
Health officials met on Tuesday to discuss the approach to the outbreak to date with medical colleagues from across the health service.
“Cooperation across the health service has never been more important and I would like to thank our colleagues in their ongoing efforts to help us to prepare for and limit the spread of Covid-19,” chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said.
Ten new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in Northern Ireland, according to figures released by the North’s Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday. There are now a total of 62 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.
The number of tests carried out now stands at 1,338, though patients with mild symptoms who are at home are not being tested and therefore are not included in the testing totals, the department said.
The advice for anyone with mild symptoms - a new, persistent cough and/or fever - is to stay at home and self-isolate for seven days,
GP charges
Meanwhile, patients who phone GPs for advice on coronavirus will no longer be charged for their consultations under arrangements agreed with the Department of Health. Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) president Padraig McGarry said the measures would “take the burden off patients.”
“We have been inundated with requests for tests, and certainly the Minister (for Health Simon Harris) has put in place supports to allow us to continue and give us financial support to not charge patients for the advice that we give on the phone,” he said. “And I think that will certainly take the burden off patients and in this regard.”
Mr McGarry said this applied to consultations in relation to Covid-19 testing.
Mr Harris said a massive number of tests will be carried out in the coming days and weeks and that the intention was to have 30 testing centres open.
Minister for Health Simon Harris. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
He also said coronavirus will eventually become so prevalent that testing may stop in many countries but “we are nowhere near that point”.
The Minister said this was “a very different St Patrick’s Day for Irish people, pubs and bars and parades have closed, and at a time when we usually like to come together to celebrate our country we’re asking people to stay apart.
“That is something that’s very hard for us to do on a human level because we’re social creatures. But still I think our national day is also the day where we should remember what’s good about our country, and Ireland is always known for being resilient.”
Biggest concern
He said the biggest concern was that some people might think the virus is something that will not affect them.
The HSE is launching a recruitment drive and Mr Harris said every graduate who wants one will now be offered an internship. He said it is a “call for Ireland” and said it was “all hands on deck.”
Meanwhile, the GAA’s director of communications has said Croke Park may not be the only of the organisation’s venues to be used by the HSE to provide coronavirus testing facilities.
Alan Milton told RTÉ’s News at One that cars carrying people coming for testing would arrive at Croke Park via Sackville Avenue in Ballybough.
He said people would be processed in the outer Cusack Stand car park before driving through a service tunnel where tests will be carried out before cars departed via St Joseph’s Avenue.
Mr Milton said that at no stage would people coming for tests leave their cars and that the GAA had discussed the plan with residents living near the stadium in an effort to provide reassurances. He said it would operate in a similar manner to a National Care Test (NCT) site.
“This is not a walk up facility. It is by appointment only. It has to be this way.”
He said Croke Park’s lay out lends itself to such an operation and the stadium’s operations staff had been working “very methodically” with the HSE to streamline the service.
“This is an unusual ask of the stadium, but we were glad to do so. Overall the feedback from the community has been very positive in nature. We value our community relations and most are buying into the greater good.”
Meanwhile, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has called for the Medical Council, the Department of Health and the HSE to set out an explicit statement regarding the “real professional and ethical challenges” faced by doctors on foot of the outbreak.
The college said it fully understood the concerns of some surgeons about the risks associated with working outside their own speciality during the crisis.
“ Surgeons are well trained and competent in the emergency management of ill patients but, in meeting urgent patient needs, some surgeons may have to work outside their regular area of practice,” it said in a statement on Tuesday. “Training on the job, inter-professional support, protocols of care and supervision will be important in ensuring that the ‘core competence’ of all practitioners can be used safely while they work in an extended role.”
Curtailed
The RCSI warned that scheduled surgical care and outpatient clinics would inevitably be curtailed for an indefinite period during the pandemic “and we cannot overestimate the impact this will have on our patients”.
“Surgeons must engage with patients and the wider health care community to ensure patients are kept informed and supported. We must also work to ensure that, when the situation allows, affected patients have their surgery.”
Separately, the Irish Cancer Society has said the postponement of planned cancer operations would cause anxiety among patients.
Its chief executive Averil Power said clear communications on this issue was essential.
“The HSE has assured us that only non-urgent cancer surgeries are being postponed and that decisions are being made on a case by case basis by patients’ doctors,” she said.
“Postponement of non-urgent care is to be expected during this unprecedented public health crisis. However, it will cause a lot of anxiety for patients.”
“Patients need individual reassurance that the delayed treatment is not urgent and that their survival and quality of life will not be affected. It is also essential they have an opportunity to discuss any concerns with their care team.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: People have ‘civic duty’ to maintain social distance, archbishop says

Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said it is “ utter irresponsibility ” not to maintain social distance during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Let no-one think that they know better , ” he said .
“ We are in a difficult situation and one that will not see its end for some time .
We are being asked to take very restrictive measures .
We are obliged to respond with a sense of personal responsibility and civic duty.
” Archbishop Martin was speaking at the traditional St Patrick ’ s Day blessing of the shamrock ceremony in Dublin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , St Patrick ’ s Day 2020 , is different .
We celebrate with a small number of people present , linked by webcam with others .
All of us are fearful about the future and many are fearful as they feel increasingly vulnerable , ” he said .
“ Many are suffering .
I think of the elderly and the vulnerable and especially of those who live alone .
I think of parents , in particular lone parents , who have to combine work and the care of children now that schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with challenging special needs and of people who were already struggling with illness before the additional fear of this virus emerged.
” Archbishop Martin praised “ the great commitment of our public health services , especially ” nurses , doctors , public health officials and carers .
“ We owe them all a debt of gratitude .
I thank our priests as they continue to minister to the sick , the troubled and the bereaved .
Generosity and creativity are being combined by so many to respond to what is above all a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for one another.
” At 11am on Tuesday church bells rang out in Catholic parishes throughout Ireland as an expression of solidarity as people deal with the coronavirus crisis .
In a St Patrick ’ s Day message , the Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin said “ the coming weeks and months are going to bring challenges and uncertainty for all of us , as we are reminded of the fragility of human life and of our dependence on one another and on God.
” It was “ a time for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sick and vulnerable , and for a spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice , compassion and charity in Ireland , and across the world , ” he said , and called on people to “ reach out to neighbours and relatives who may feel troubled or alone.
” Meanwhile , Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork , Cloyne and Ross Bishop Paul Colton has said the lack of all-island rules about mass gatherings and school openings has not helped the fight against Covid-19 .
Calling for a unified approach , he said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel , in an all-Ireland church as ours is , by the fact that there is not a common approach to ‘ mass gatherings ’ within the two jurisdictions.
” Confirming the cancellation of all church services in the Cork diocese , he said “ a myriad of views ” exist among members of the Church of Ireland community in Cork city and county .
“ In this diocese , I have discovered that clergy and laity alike have a myriad of different views about what the right thing to do is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
His diocese adhered strictly to the Government ’ s guidelines on numbers and social distancing when it held 66 services on Sunday , helped by the fact that congregations rarely attract more than 40 people .
Many appreciated the opportunity to pray together , albeit in smaller numbers , though many clergy expressed “ understandable uncertainty and anxiety about what should happen in the days ahead ” .
he went on He said 78 lay and ordained ministers are needed for services in the diocese , but 47 of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ age group .
“ A number have already had to self-isolate on medical advice , ” he said .
Webcams are being increasingly used to broadcast services , including one that is now being installed at St Fin Barre ’ s Cathedral in Cork .
His congregations are keeping in touch “ using a host of inventive ways , ” he said .
Services attended by less than 100 people have been cleared to go ahead in the archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough , in the Tuam and Kilmore dioceses and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross border Clogher diocese and Armagh archdiocese .
At the weekend Rev Stephen Neill , rector at Celbridge and Straffan in the Archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough , announced the suspension of services in his parishes to protect vulnerable elderly .

Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said it is ‘utter irresponsibility’ not to maintain social distance during the coronavirus pandemic. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said it is “utter irresponsibility” not to maintain social distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Let no-one think that they know better,” he said. “We are in a difficult situation and one that will not see its end for some time. We are being asked to take very restrictive measures. We are obliged to respond with a sense of personal responsibility and civic duty.”
Archbishop Martin was speaking at the traditional St Patrick’s Day blessing of the shamrock ceremony in Dublin’s Pro Cathedral.
“Today, St Patrick’s Day 2020, is different. We celebrate with a small number of people present, linked by webcam with others. All of us are fearful about the future and many are fearful as they feel increasingly vulnerable,” he said.
READ MORE
“Many are suffering. I think of the elderly and the vulnerable and especially of those who live alone. I think of parents, in particular lone parents, who have to combine work and the care of children now that schools are closed. I think of families with challenging special needs and of people who were already struggling with illness before the additional fear of this virus emerged.”
Archbishop Martin praised “the great commitment of our public health services, especially” nurses, doctors, public health officials and carers.
“We owe them all a debt of gratitude. I thank our priests as they continue to minister to the sick, the troubled and the bereaved. Generosity and creativity are being combined by so many to respond to what is above all a call to solidarity, a call to care for one another.”
Solidarity
At 11am on Tuesday church bells rang out in Catholic parishes throughout Ireland as an expression of solidarity as people deal with the coronavirus crisis.
In a St Patrick’s Day message, the Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin said “the coming weeks and months are going to bring challenges and uncertainty for all of us, as we are reminded of the fragility of human life and of our dependence on one another and on God.”
It was “a time for an outpouring of the works of mercy towards the sick and vulnerable, and for a spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice, compassion and charity in Ireland, and across the world,” he said, and called on people to “reach out to neighbours and relatives who may feel troubled or alone.”
Meanwhile, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Bishop Paul Colton has said the lack of all-island rules about mass gatherings and school openings has not helped the fight against Covid-19.
Calling for a unified approach, he said: “The situation is not helped, I feel, in an all-Ireland church as ours is, by the fact that there is not a common approach to ‘mass gatherings’ within the two jurisdictions.”
Confirming the cancellation of all church services in the Cork diocese, he said “a myriad of views” exist among members of the Church of Ireland community in Cork city and county.
“In this diocese, I have discovered that clergy and laity alike have a myriad of different views about what the right thing to do is - often mutually contradictory viewpoints,” he said.
Adhered strictly
His diocese adhered strictly to the Government’s guidelines on numbers and social distancing when it held 66 services on Sunday, helped by the fact that congregations rarely attract more than 40 people.
Many appreciated the opportunity to pray together, albeit in smaller numbers, though many clergy expressed “understandable uncertainty and anxiety about what should happen in the days ahead”. he went on
He said 78 lay and ordained ministers are needed for services in the diocese, but 47 of them are themselves in the ‘at risk’ age group. “A number have already had to self-isolate on medical advice,” he said.
Webcams are being increasingly used to broadcast services, including one that is now being installed at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork. His congregations are keeping in touch “ using a host of inventive ways,” he said.
Services attended by less than 100 people have been cleared to go ahead in the archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough, in the Tuam and Kilmore dioceses and at parishes in the Republic belonging to the cross border Clogher diocese and Armagh archdiocese.
At the weekend Rev Stephen Neill, rector at Celbridge and Straffan in the Archdiocese of Dublin and Glendalough, announced the suspension of services in his parishes to protect vulnerable elderly.


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus – the science: The search for ‘patient zero’

This is the first in a series of regular updates from Irish Times Environment and Science Editor Kevin O ’ Sullivan on scientific initiatives and developments in relation to the coronavirus : There is an intense ongoing investigation to find out exactly when Covid-19 emerged in humans .
It ’ s important to identify how epidemics emerge , not least the current pandemic , and especially how it is spread .
As suspected , it was in circulation a lot earlier than initially indicated .
A 55-year-old individual from Hubei province in China may have been the first person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South China Morning Post .
This dates back to November 17th , more than a month earlier than doctors noted cases in Wuhan in late December .
Authorities suspected the virus stemmed from something sold at a “ wet ( seafood ) market ” in the city .
It ’ s now clear some infected people had no connection to that location .
That included one of the earliest cases from December 1st ; researchers reported in The Lancet .
Scientists now suspect SARS-CoV-2 ( its medical name ) originated in a bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly the pangolin , which then passed it on to humans .
It is now spreading between people without any animal intermediary .
If they can find the earliest cases , they may be able to confirm the animal host where the virus lurks .
Even with this November 17th case identified , doctors can ’ t be certain the individual is “ patient zero ” , the first to have been infected .
There ’ s every chance even earlier cases will be found .
A report just published in Science is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most pressing questions about the Coronavirus pandemic : How many people are walking around with unrecognised infections , and how infectious are they ?
Scientists tracking the coronavirus spread believe for every confirmed case , there are most likely another five to 10 people in the community with undetected infections .
These often-milder cases are , on average , about half as infectious as confirmed ones , but are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of new cases , according to research published in Science – it is based on data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s natural spread there before the government instituted a travel ban and an aggressive testing policy .
During that time from December 2019 through late January about six in seven cases went undetected .
That situation is similar to where in Europe and the US tests are not widely available , they conclude .
“ If we have 3,500 confirmed cases in the US , you might be looking at 35,000 in reality , ” Jeffrey Shaman , an epidemiologist at Columbia University , told the New York Times – latest Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of March .
The World Health Organisation regularly updates on cases and associated data .
That is then fed into models all over the world designed to predict what ’ s likely to unfold .
Critically , they inform actions in an attempt to “ flatten the curve ” of accelerating cases .
The “ confirmed cases ” curve revealed Ireland ’ s early rise in cases was outpacing those in other countries already in the throes of a health crisis , most notably Italy and South Korea .
But confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to different rates of testing in different countries .
These numbers will also be shaped by how actively testing is done .
Ireland is in “ rapid scale up of tests ” phase .
What forced a change of tack in the UK on Monday was new data on the impact of Italy ’ s out-of-control epidemic on its health service where 30 per cent of hospitalised patients had to be admitted to intensive care .
Modellers at Imperial College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who advise government crunched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pressure on the NHS that came out were unacceptable .
The mitigation strategy the government had just announced would lead to 260,000 deaths .
That would be not just deaths from the virus , but from other illnesses the NHS would be too hard-pressed to treat .
Hence , measures were scaled up again – though not nearly as extensive as in Ireland .
Prof Liam Glynn of UL and Dr Mike O ’ Callghan provide a succinct update and Irish number crunch daily through # COVIDWATCHon Twitter .
Their St Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cases increasing ( due to more testing ) but our deaths very low SO FAR .
WE CAN SAVE LIVES .
Be a hero and play your part on Paddys day.
” – Medical workers in Wuhan revealed smiles behind their masks to celebrate the closing of the last temporary hospital that was panic-built to accommodate the overflow of coronavirus patients in the city .
– Scientists at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam and Utrecht University have found an antibody against Covid-19 which could prove vital to producing antiviral medication against coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 71 ) says he is keeping his cool : “ I am too old to jump on a table.
” – Doctors in India have been successful in treating coronavirus through a combination of four drugs ( Lopinavir , Retonovir , Oseltamivir and Chlorphenamine ) .
They are going to suggest this be applied globally .

A Chinese shopkeeper waits for customers at a local market in Beijing on March 4th. A 55-year-old individual from Hubei province may have been the first person to have contracted Covid-19 in November last year. Photograph: Getty Images
This is the first in a series of regular updates from Irish Times Environment and Science Editor Kevin O’Sullivan on scientific initiatives and developments in relation to the coronavirus:
The search for ‘patient zero’
There is an intense ongoing investigation to find out exactly when Covid-19 emerged in humans. It’s important to identify how epidemics emerge, not least the current pandemic, and especially how it is spread. As suspected, it was in circulation a lot earlier than initially indicated.
A 55-year-old individual from Hubei province in China may have been the first person to have contracted Covid-19, according to the South China Morning Post. This dates back to November 17th, more than a month earlier than doctors noted cases in Wuhan in late December.
Authorities suspected the virus stemmed from something sold at a “wet (seafood) market” in the city. It’s now clear some infected people had no connection to that location. That included one of the earliest cases from December 1st; researchers reported in The Lancet.
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Scientists now suspect SARS-CoV-2 (its medical name) originated in a bat and somehow hopped to another animal, possibly the pangolin, which then passed it on to humans. It is now spreading between people without any animal intermediary.
If they can find the earliest cases, they may be able to confirm the animal host where the virus lurks. Even with this November 17th case identified, doctors can’t be certain the individual is “patient zero”, the first to have been infected. There’s every chance even earlier cases will be found.
The undetected
A report just published in Science is among the first to address two of the most pressing questions about the Coronavirus pandemic: How many people are walking around with unrecognised infections, and how infectious are they?
Scientists tracking the coronavirus spread believe for every confirmed case, there are most likely another five to 10 people in the community with undetected infections.
These often-milder cases are, on average, about half as infectious as confirmed ones, but are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of new cases, according to research published in Science – it is based on data from China.
The researchers modelled the virus's natural spread there before the government instituted a travel ban and an aggressive testing policy. During that time from December 2019 through late January about six in seven cases went undetected. That situation is similar to where in Europe and the US tests are not widely available, they conclude.
"If we have 3,500 confirmed cases in the US, you might be looking at 35,000 in reality," Jeffrey Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, told the New York Times – latest Irish predictions are we may reach 15,000 by the end of March.
Covid-19 watch
The World Health Organisation regularly updates on cases and associated data. That is then fed into models all over the world designed to predict what's likely to unfold. Critically, they inform actions in an attempt to "flatten the curve" of accelerating cases.
The "confirmed cases" curve revealed Ireland's early rise in cases was outpacing those in other countries already in the throes of a health crisis, most notably Italy and South Korea. But confirmed cases, however, may be relative to different rates of testing in different countries. These numbers will also be shaped by how actively testing is done. Ireland is in "rapid scale up of tests" phase.
What forced a change of tack in the UK on Monday was new data on the impact of Italy's out-of-control epidemic on its health service where 30 per cent of hospitalised patients had to be admitted to intensive care. Modellers at Imperial College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who advise government crunched those numbers – and the death toll and pressure on the NHS that came out were unacceptable.
The mitigation strategy the government had just announced would lead to 260,000 deaths. That would be not just deaths from the virus, but from other illnesses the NHS would be too hard-pressed to treat. Hence, measures were scaled up again – though not nearly as extensive as in Ireland.
Prof Liam Glynn of UL and Dr Mike O'Callghan provide a succinct update and Irish number crunch daily through #COVIDWATCHon Twitter. Their St Patrick's Day report reads: "Cases increasing (due to more testing) but our deaths very low SO FAR. WE CAN SAVE LIVES. Be a hero and play your part on Paddys day."
Three grounds for optimism
– Medical workers in Wuhan revealed smiles behind their masks to celebrate the closing of the last temporary hospital that was panic-built to accommodate the overflow of coronavirus patients in the city.
– Scientists at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam and Utrecht University have found an antibody against Covid-19 which could prove vital to producing antiviral medication against coronavirus. Professor of cell biology there Frank Grosveld (71) says he is keeping his cool: "I am too old to jump on a table."
– Doctors in India have been successful in treating coronavirus through a combination of four drugs (Lopinavir, Retonovir, Oseltamivir and Chlorphenamine). They are going to suggest this be applied globally.
[ @KOSullivanIT ]


theirishtimes--2020-03-17--Dublin retailer concerned thieves may try to exploit coronavirus crisis

One of the longest established retailers in Dublin city centre had a significant amount of stock stolen and the windows of its shop front smashed during a robbery on Sunday morning .
Monaghan ’ s Cashmere on South Anne Street in Dublin 2 , which opened in 1960 , was robbed at around 6.30am with the thief breaking a window and making off with a bundle of sweaters and shirts .
“ It was horrendous , ” owner Suzanne Monaghan told The Irish Times .
“ When the alarm first went off I got a notification on my phone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see anything out of order .
It was only when staff got to work on Sunday that we saw the damage.
” She said CCTV footage from neighbouring shops showed a single male smashing the windows and before making off with as much stock as he could carry .
He dropped some clothes on the street and these were subsequently returned to the store by refuse collectors doing their rounds in the city centre .
“ At least nobody was hurt and we are all healthy here so it could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But the very fact that something like this could happen at a time like this concerns me , ” she said .
She said other retailers in the city had shared with her stories of robberies taking place over the weekend and she expressed concern that empty streets and stretched Garda resources might see some people seek to exploit the coronavirus crises .
“ When we looked at the CCTV footage in the area it looks like the same person targeted a shop nearby but I can ’ t be sure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours from up and down the street had “ been so supportive and have been bringing us coffee and things like that .
Generally people are good and they are looking out for one and other .
She said the shop was still open although she added it was “ not doing any business at the moment .
I don ’ t think anyone is .
”

Monaghan’s Cashmere on South Anne St in Dublin 2 had a significant amount of stock stolen on Sunday morning. Image via Google Street View.
One of the longest established retailers in Dublin city centre had a significant amount of stock stolen and the windows of its shop front smashed during a robbery on Sunday morning.
Monaghan’s Cashmere on South Anne Street in Dublin 2, which opened in 1960, was robbed at around 6.30am with the thief breaking a window and making off with a bundle of sweaters and shirts.
"It was horrendous," owner Suzanne Monaghan told The Irish Times. "When the alarm first went off I got a notification on my phone and checked the surveillance cameras but couldn't see anything out of order. It was only when staff got to work on Sunday that we saw the damage."
She said CCTV footage from neighbouring shops showed a single male smashing the windows and before making off with as much stock as he could carry.
READ MORE
He dropped some clothes on the street and these were subsequently returned to the store by refuse collectors doing their rounds in the city centre.
“At least nobody was hurt and we are all healthy here so it could have been worse,” Ms Monaghan said. “But the very fact that something like this could happen at a time like this concerns me,” she said.
She said other retailers in the city had shared with her stories of robberies taking place over the weekend and she expressed concern that empty streets and stretched Garda resources might see some people seek to exploit the coronavirus crises.
“When we looked at the CCTV footage in the area it looks like the same person targeted a shop nearby but I can’t be sure,” she said
She added that her neighbours from up and down the street had “been so supportive and have been bringing us coffee and things like that. Generally people are good and they are looking out for one and other.
She said the shop was still open although she added it was “not doing any business at the moment. I don’t think anyone is.”


theirishtimes--2020-03-18--Two men arrested over hit-and-run after Dalkey robbery

Gardaí investigating the hit-and-run killing of a 54-year-old woman after a robbery in Dalkey , south Co Dublin , have arrested two suspects .
The men being question are both in their 20s and were being held at Dún Laoghaire and Dundrum Garda stations .
They were being questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows for their detention without charge for 24 hours .
The two men , who are from south Co Dublin , were arrested early on Wednesday morning as gardaí continued the investigation of the serious crime , despite the special policing operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 crisis .
The men arrested are both suspects in the case and gardaí suspect they were in the vehicle driven up onto a pavement before hitting and fatally injuring Ms Jacqueline McGovern .
Ms McGovern , the married mother of three adult children from Killiney , died following the incident on the night of Tuesday , March 10th .
She worked as a special-needs assistant at Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls National School in Cabinteely .
The victim was out walking with a friend , also in her 50s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hit by the car .
However , while the second woman was injured she survived and is recovering .
In the moments before the fatal collision two men threatened staff at a Centra store on Barnhill Road , Dalkey .
They stole money before being driven away at speed by another man in a waiting car .
The fleeing driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle at the junction of Ballinclea Road and Avondale Road , Killiney , where the women were struck .
The site of the crash was about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGovern was taken from the scene by ambulance to St Vincent ’ s hospital , where she was later pronounced dead .
The car used by the raiders was so badly damaged in the crash it could not be driven any further .
The raiders fled the scene on foot and gardaí have since examined the car in a bid to find forensic evidence that may link those responsible to the crime .

Gardaí investigating the hit-and-run killing of a 54-year-old woman after a robbery in Dalkey, south Co Dublin, have arrested three suspects.
The men being question are in their 20s and were being held at Dún Laoghaire and Dundrum Garda stations. They were being questioned under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows for their detention without charge for 24 hours.
The three men were arrested on Wednesday morning as gardaí continued the investigation of the serious crime, despite the special policing operation now in place to on response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Gardaí believe the men were in the vehicle driven up onto a pavement before hitting and fatally injuring Jacqueline McGovern.
READ MORE
Ms McGovern, the married mother of three adult children from Killiney, died following the incident on the night of Tuesday, March 10th. She worked as a special-needs assistant at Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls National School in Cabinteely.
The victim was out walking with a friend, also in her 50s and a special needs assistant, when they were hit by the car. However, while the second woman was injured she survived and is recovering.
In the moments before the fatal collision two men threatened staff at a Centra store on Barnhill Road, Dalkey. They stole money before being driven away at speed by another man in a waiting car.
The fleeing driver appeared to lose control of the vehicle at the junction of Ballinclea Road and Avondale Road, Killiney, where the women were struck. The site of the crash was about 1km from the robbery scene.
Ms McGovern was taken from the scene by ambulance to St Vincent’s hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The car used by the raiders was so badly damaged in the crash it could not be driven any further.
The raiders fled the scene on foot and gardaí have since examined the car in a bid to find forensic evidence that may link those responsible to the crime.


theirishtimes--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Health service tackles testing surge, Donohoe to meet bank CEOs

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is to meet bank chief executives on Wednesday to discuss the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic , The health service is continuing to struggle following a large surge in people referred for testing for the coronavirus , known as Covid-19 .
Elsewhere , a decision on whether horse racing fixtures continue is expected from the industry body .
Since Monday GPs have been able to refer patients with symptoms , such as a cough and fever , for testing – which has created a backlog the health service is now struggling to clear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are now 292 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the State , following an increase of 69 cases .
In a dramatic televised address to the nation on St Patrick ’ s Day , Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said officials predict the number of cases could rise to 15,000 by the end of the month .
Mr Varadkar said in the coming weeks the elderly and more vulnerable would be told to stay indoors in a practice called “ cocooning ” , where they would be supplied with essentials .
The unprecedented measures will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus would likely last for months , he said .
On Wednesday afternoon , Mr Donohoe will meet the chief executives of the country ’ s banks to discuss the fallout from the crisis – such as an expected surge in bad loans as many businesses go under and homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments .
Social distancing requirements have led to the closure of the country ’ s 7,000 pubs and many restaurants , leaving tens of thousands facing unemployment .
The board of Horse Racing Ireland will meet by phone on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry should take in response to the coronavirus .
Both Britain and France have suspended horse racing , while race meetings have taken place behind closed doors in Ireland since Friday .
On Thursday , the Dáil is set to consider emergency legislation to give the Government sweeping powers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak .
The measures would include powers to direct people to stay in their homes and detain those believed to have the virus who refuse to self isolate .
It would also allow for events or gatherings that pose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prohibited .
The legislation will also provide for enhanced income supports for people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or required to self-isolate .

Eyewitness footage shows how the Croke Park drive-thru Covid-19 testing facility will operate.
A further 74 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Wednesday night.
The new cases involve 29 women and 45 men. The total number of cases in the Republic is now 366.
The NPHET also published an analysis of the first 271 cases. Of these, 40 per cent involved men and 59 per cent involved women, with 23 clusters.
To date, 42 per cent of cases are travel-related, 22 per cent are associated with community transmission, 17 per cent are as a result of local transmission and 20 per cent remain under investigation.
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Two-thirds of cases were among people aged under 55, with almost one in four aged 35-55. One case in five involved a healthcare worker, and one-third of such cases were associated with travel.
Dublin had the highest number of cases, with 129 cases, followed by Cork (48) and Limerick (14).
Responding to the latest figures, Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer in the Department of Health, said: “Again, today we are seeing another increase in case numbers. The importance of social distancing cannot be underestimated. Everyone must play their role.”
Dr Holohan said just three counties have recorded no cases so far. These are Leitrim, Laois and Monaghan.
Meanwhile, all schools in Northern Ireland are to close from Monday in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The DUP First Minister Arlene Foster made the announcement on Wednesday evening. She said it was an “unprecedented” step and one that was likely to mean schools will remain shut during the summer.
A number of Northern Ireland schools taking advantage of the St Patrick’s Day holiday already had decided to close for the rest of this week.
The move comes as Britain ordered the closure of schools from Friday until further notice, with British PM Boris Johnson saying that “exams will not take place as planned in May and June”.
Figures released on Wednesday evening showed that six new cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 68.
On Wednesday night, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced it was advising against travel to or through Germany amid the outbreak.
It had announced earlier on Wednesday it is extending its deadline for all Irish tourists in Spain to return home until this Saturday, March 21st.
Unemployment
Also on Wednesday, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said that many more Irish people will find themselves out of work as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
However, Mr Donohoe refused to put a figure on the overall number he might predict in this regard, or confirm figures of 350,000 to 400,000 people out of work estimated by economic commentators.
“At this point it is not appropriate for me to indicate what figures of unemployment we will get to,” he told RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime. “At the moment we are not clear about what will happen the live register over the coming weeks.”
He said that it was clear Ireland was now facing a very serious economic shock and that “many more people will find themselves unemployed as a result of us dealing with the consequences of Covid-19”.
He said the State would quickly rebuild the economy and get people back to work once the crisis had subsided.
“The intensity with which the Government is working will be matched with what we can do to help people get their jobs back,” he said.
Mr Donohoe also defended the Government decision to commit 1 per cent of the general budget to the crisis at this moment in time.
Asked why the UK had committed 15 per cent for such measures, he said the UK’s figures represented money that could be raised through future borrowing. He said the actual budgetary component of the UK commitment was roughly similar to the Government’s commitment.
Mr Donohoe said the State’s had good standing in terms of seeking loans.
“We are in a [good] position in that our ability to access additional money is very high,” he said.
Mr Donohoe was speaking following a meeting with the heads of the State’s five banks on Wednesday, in which the banks agreed to measures including mortgage breaks and the deferral of repossessions and legal cases against defaulting borrowers in response to the current crisis.
Main points
Varadkar says crisis may last months
Worldwide cases pass 200,000
Miriam Lord: Leo finds the right words
Global stocks tumble
Health jobs
About 24,000 people have contacted the HSE in the last 24 hours regarding taking up posts in the health service to deal with the expected surge in demand for care arising from the coronavirus outbreak, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
The Government on Tuesday said it would recruit everyone available with qualifications for roles in the health service during the current crisis.
The health service is continuing to struggle following a large surge in people referred for testing for the coronavirus.
Since Monday, GPs have been able to refer patients with symptoms, such as a cough and fever, for testing – which has created a backlog the health service is now struggling to clear.
During a visit to the facility on Wednesday morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was told that the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD will soon be able to conduct 15,000 tests for the coronavirus every day.
In a televised address to the nation on St Patrick’s Day, Mr Varadkar said officials predicted the number of cases here could rise to 15,000 by the end of the month.
Mr Varadkar said that in the coming weeks the elderly and more vulnerable would be told to stay indoors in a practice called “cocooning”, where they would be supplied with essentials.
The unprecedented measures will attempt to slow the spread of the virus and would likely last for months, he said.
Pub closures
Social distancing requirements have led to the closure of the country’s 7,000 pubs and many restaurants, leaving tens of thousands facing unemployment.
Ryanair Group Airlines announced it will cut flight schedules by more than 80 per cent from midnight on Wednesday until midnight on Tuesday, March 24th. “All affected customers will receive an email to advise them of their options and we kindly ask customers not to call us as our call centres are overloaded dealing with customer queries,” the airline said.
Meanwhile, this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled due to the outbreak. In a statement on Wednesday, EBU said: “We are all as heartbroken as they are that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be able to be staged in May and know that the whole Eurovision family, across the world, will continue to provide love and support for each other at this difficult time.”
It said: “We would ask people to bear with us while we work through the ramifications of this unprecedented decision and patiently await any further news in the coming days and weeks.”
Both Brown Thomas and Arnotts closed at 5pm on Wednesday evening as the impact of coronavirus continues to send shockwaves through the retail sector.
Penneys also said it was closing until further notice.
Supermarkets across the State have started rolling out measures aimed at protecting customers and staff. Amongst the most visible steps being taken are moves to ensure social distance is maintained and a reduced reliance on high contact surfaces.
Racing
Elsewhere, the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has approved a decision for Irish racing to continue to take place behind closed doors, although with greater restrictions.
Officials at HRI stressed how the decision to keep racing when so much of the rest of society has closed down was made after consultation with the Government.
Both Britain and France have suspended horse racing, while race meetings have taken place behind closed doors in Ireland since Friday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Cork GAA said that Páirc Uí Chaoimh had been made available to the HSE for use during the coronavirus crisis.
On Thursday, the Dáil is set to consider emergency legislation to give the Government sweeping powers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
The measures would include powers to direct people to stay in their homes and detain those believed to have the virus who refuse to self-isolate. It would also allow for events or gatherings that pose a clear risk to public health to be prohibited.
The legislation will also provide for enhanced income supports for people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 or required to self-isolate. Additional reporting: PA