theirishtimes--2020-04-16--All-Ireland exit strategy for Covid-19 restrictions is best, says expert

There is much unfinished business to be dealt with quickly before Ireland can begin to ease coronavirus restrictions , according to University of Limerick professor of general practice Liam Glynn .
While the critical question is how this can be done in a way that minimises the risk of a Covid-19 resurgence , in the meantime people should be required to use masks in public , border controls should be strengthened and contact tracing ramped up , he says .
In addition , a robust testing regime must be in place , backed by technology , including an app that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert individuals if data taken from their smartphones suggest they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 .
This app “ has been in the pipeline for weeks ” but has yet to be delivered , Glynn says .
These measures should be in unison with Northern Ireland to maximise chances of restricting coronavirus .
“ Anything other than an all-Ireland approach is bananas .
We are an island .
[ But ] this is not possible without collaboration at the highest political level.
” The eventual re-opening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting non-essential travel into the country , especially from places that have higher level of infection , he said .
Where travel is permitted , enforced quarantine for 14 days is necessary .
Ireland was ahead of the curve in responding to the pandemic with good measures and a high level of compliance , but now risks falling behind others , according to Glynn .
Data is key , he says .
“ If you don ’ t have highly efficient testing and contact tracing , you don ’ t have reliable data.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ required .
In Canada , this was down to a nine-hour turnaround .
Even if Ireland got down to a turnaround between 24 to 48 hours , it would help a lot .
The thinking on masks has changed , he says .
“ It ’ s not about protecting yourself .
It ’ s about protecting others .
.
.
not transmitting an infection you may not know you have.
” Public health specialists stress reopening society is a long haul , marked by trial and error , and where there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heightens the risk of the disease spreading .
Lessons from countries ahead of Ireland in easing restrictions will need to be carefully evaluated , including the latest on New Zealand ’ s “ bubble approach ” .
Prof Ruairí Brugha , head of the department of epidemiology and public health medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland ( RCSI ) , says the date is not so important but what is in place by that point is .
Uncertainty around testing should be cleared up , he says .
Current testing infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed by validated antibody testing , which is vital to knowing what is happening in the community .
This will enable better targeting of at-risk groups , says Brugha .
Rapid testing and quick contact tracing , informed by real-time information enables prompt warnings if the virus is erupting again , “ so we can stamp it out ” .
This will also help determine levels of asymptomatic spread especially among younger people .
Brugha expects a plan will be announced on what is going to happen a week in advance , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government with cross-society buy-in .
In particular , “ we need to look at the workplace as a setting for monitoring how well we ’ re doing ; especially where you are going to have close physical proximity , ” he adds .
While this will require agreement between employers and employees on how to monitor on a daily basis , it is “ quite feasible ” .
People have become preoccupied with masks , but the effectiveness of temperature monitoring is shown to work , especially in picking up Covid-19 spikes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is critical as “ we don ’ t know when a vaccine will come – it could be more than 12 to 18 months away ” but evidence is emerging daily , informing the approach .
RCSI infectious disease specialist Prof Sam McConkey supports the New Zealand approach : eliminating coronavirus through 60 days of contact tracing ; rapid self-isolation ; using GPS location data ; 14-day quarantine for travellers coming into the country ; using cloth reusable masks for all ; deployment of phone apps to show status ; and phased re-openings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a bubble of seven million people on the island of Ireland ” .
The joint approach with the North should range across face mask use , contact tracing , testing , duration of isolation and travel restrictions , while deploying the same way of processing data .
It involves “ no border ” thinking , he says .
“ In the island of Ireland the virus crosses our borders freely .
The future of Donegal will be closely linked with its neighbours in Derry and Tyrone ; Louth ’ s future will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is hopeful the UK might decide to follow New Zealand and Australia , as they seem successful .
The North would follow London , “ and we can agree to go along with that so we could have our own little bubble on this island ” .
Yale University epidemiologist Prof Sten Vermund says geography must be factored because of differing disease levels , and consideration of what professions are allowed back to work when .
Construction workers are used to wearing masks and do not work in close proximity with one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be deferred because dentists work in close proximity to their patients ’ respiratory systems .
A balancing of risks beyond public health is needed , he suggests , factoring in risk to economy , including human hardship .
“ We need a happy balance between extremes.
” Re-opening society requires a risk assessment .
Hold off too long and economic damage is amplified .
“ If re-opening happens prematurely , you are inviting a second wave and really accomplish nothing .
”

The successful easing of restrictions in Ireland will involve ‘no border’ thinking on the island, says Prof Sam McConkey
There is much unfinished business to be dealt with quickly before Ireland can begin to ease coronavirus restrictions, according to University of Limerick professor of general practice Liam Glynn.
While the critical question is how this can be done in a way that minimises the risk of a Covid-19 resurgence, in the meantime people should be required to use masks in public, border controls should be strengthened and contact tracing ramped up, he says.
In addition, a robust testing regime must be in place, backed by technology, including an app that will allow public health authorities to directly alert individuals if data taken from their smartphones suggest they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19.
This app “has been in the pipeline for weeks” but has yet to be delivered, Glynn says.
READ MORE
These measures should be in unison with Northern Ireland to maximise chances of restricting coronavirus. "Anything other than an all-Ireland approach is bananas. We are an island. [But] this is not possible without collaboration at the highest political level."
The eventual re-opening of the economy needs to be tempered by limiting non-essential travel into the country, especially from places that have higher level of infection, he said. Where travel is permitted, enforced quarantine for 14 days is necessary.
Reliable data
Ireland was ahead of the curve in responding to the pandemic with good measures and a high level of compliance, but now risks falling behind others, according to Glynn.
Data is key, he says. "If you don't have highly efficient testing and contact tracing, you don't have reliable data." In tandem, rapid testing is required. In Canada, this was down to a nine-hour turnaround. Even if Ireland got down to a turnaround between 24 to 48 hours, it would help a lot.
The thinking on masks has changed, he says. “It’s not about protecting yourself. It’s about protecting others . . . not transmitting an infection you may not know you have.”
Public health specialists stress reopening society is a long haul, marked by trial and error, and where there are different approaches side by side, it heightens the risk of the disease spreading.
Lessons from countries ahead of Ireland in easing restrictions will need to be carefully evaluated, including the latest on New Zealand’s “bubble approach”.
Prof Ruairí Brugha, head of the department of epidemiology and public health medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI), says the date is not so important but what is in place by that point is.
Uncertainty around testing should be cleared up, he says. Current testing infrastructure needs to be complemented by good surveillance informed by validated antibody testing, which is vital to knowing what is happening in the community. This will enable better targeting of at-risk groups, says Brugha.
Rapid testing and quick contact tracing, informed by real-time information enables prompt warnings if the virus is erupting again, “so we can stamp it out”. This will also help determine levels of asymptomatic spread especially among younger people.
Brugha expects a plan will be announced on what is going to happen a week in advance, in a process that should be steered by Government with cross-society buy-in.
Workplace monitoring
In particular, “we need to look at the workplace as a setting for monitoring how well we’re doing; especially where you are going to have close physical proximity,” he adds.
While this will require agreement between employers and employees on how to monitor on a daily basis, it is “quite feasible”. People have become preoccupied with masks, but the effectiveness of temperature monitoring is shown to work, especially in picking up Covid-19 spikes.
This course at national and local level is critical as “we don’t know when a vaccine will come – it could be more than 12 to 18 months away” but evidence is emerging daily, informing the approach.
RCSI infectious disease specialist Prof Sam McConkey supports the New Zealand approach: eliminating coronavirus through 60 days of contact tracing; rapid self-isolation; using GPS location data; 14-day quarantine for travellers coming into the country; using cloth reusable masks for all; deployment of phone apps to show status; and phased re-openings.
Critically, this should involve creating “a bubble of seven million people on the island of Ireland”.
‘No border’
The joint approach with the North should range across face mask use, contact tracing, testing, duration of isolation and travel restrictions, while deploying the same way of processing data. It involves “no border” thinking, he says.
"In the island of Ireland the virus crosses our borders freely. The future of Donegal will be closely linked with its neighbours in Derry and Tyrone; Louth's future will mirror those of Armagh and Down."
He is hopeful the UK might decide to follow New Zealand and Australia, as they seem successful. The North would follow London, "and we can agree to go along with that so we could have our own little bubble on this island".
Yale University epidemiologist Prof Sten Vermund says geography must be factored because of differing disease levels, and consideration of what professions are allowed back to work when.
Construction workers are used to wearing masks and do not work in close proximity with one another, whereas routine dental work should be deferred because dentists work in close proximity to their patients’ respiratory systems.
A balancing of risks beyond public health is needed, he suggests, factoring in risk to economy, including human hardship. “We need a happy balance between extremes.”
Re-opening society requires a risk assessment. Hold off too long and economic damage is amplified. “If re-opening happens prematurely, you are inviting a second wave and really accomplish nothing.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Leaving Cert exams could run until early September

The Leaving Cert may end up finishing in early September with just a single exam each day under plans to minimise public health risks , according to senior education sources .
In addition , the possibility of the new school year beginning later than normal - with the staggered return of classes over the course of a number of weeks - is being explored in talks between Department of Education officials and education partners .
Weekly meetings between the department , teachers ’ unions , school managers and other stakeholders are being planned between now and the end of May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautioned than discussions over the timing of the exams and the return of school are at an early stage will be guided by public health advice .
A number of sources say the possibility of starting the Leaving Cert exams on July 29th and running them until about September 2nd is being explored .
Under a revised timetable , the biggest exams with the largest numbers of candidates would take place towards the start of the exams , such as English , maths and Irish .
Papers with the fewest number of candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exam period .
This would help speed up the delivery of results by facilitating the marking process for large exams to begin in early August , say sources .
The idea behind holding a single major exam each day is to minimise the chances of students interacting or breaching social distancing rules in between exams .
However , this would significantly extend the exam window .
Last year , for example , more than 30 exams were held over 15 days .
Sources say draft plans for this year could see exams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Leaving Cert students who progress to third-level education are likely to begin their courses as late as November this year .
Several third-level institutions have confirmed that they plan to admit first-year students in either late October or November under best-case scenarios .
The exact dates will depend on the timing of the exams , the duration of the marking process , and how quickly results and offers can be provided to students , according to well-placed sources .
“ We ’ re looking at November at the very best , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to be named .
“ This is assuming everything goes smoothly and that timeframes for everything can be compressed.
” In addition , colleges are planning to make up lost time during the academic year by cutting short Christmas holidays and reading weeks for first-year students .
This should allow them to complete their summer exams as normal .
Much of the timings will hinge on the timeframe for the exams and the marking process .
Discussions , meanwhile , are also taking place over details of plans for schools to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ahead of the start of the Leaving Cert .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has requested that schools reopen for a minimum of two weeks in July prior to the exams .
This would require all teaching staff in secondary schools to be available on the premises .
Classes are likely to be divided up into smaller groups for social distancing purposes , according to sources .
Further details are also being discussed over plans for school-based tests to replace the Junior Cycle exams .
It is likely that exam papers would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be required to administer and mark the exams .
The results would be incorporate students ’ results on students ’ Junior Cycle profile of achievement .
The likelihood of school year for secondary students beginning later in September is also being explored .
Some sources say this could involve a staggered return of classes over the course of a number of weeks .
“ There is every chance that schools might not have the full complement of students in class until October , ” said one source .
“ However , this all @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Discussions are taking place over plans for schools to resume teaching for sixth-year students for two weeks ahead of the start of the Leaving Cert. File photograph: David Sleator
The Leaving Cert may end up finishing in early September with just a single exam each day under plans to minimise public health risks, according to senior education sources.
In addition, the possibility of the new school year beginning later than normal - with the staggered return of classes over the course of a number of weeks - is being explored in talks between Department of Education officials and education partners.
Weekly meetings between the department, teachers’ unions, school managers and other stakeholders are being planned between now and the end of May to discuss these details.
Sources have cautioned than discussions over the timing of the exams and the return of school are at an early stage will be guided by public health advice.
READ MORE
A number of sources say the possibility of starting the Leaving Cert exams on July 29th and running them until about September 2nd is being explored.
Under a revised timetable, the biggest exams with the largest numbers of candidates would take place towards the start of the exams, such as English, maths and Irish.
Papers with the fewest number of candidates would take place towards the end of the exam period.
This would help speed up the delivery of results by facilitating the marking process for large exams to begin in early August, say sources.
The idea behind holding a single major exam each day is to minimise the chances of students interacting or breaching social distancing rules in between exams.
However, this would significantly extend the exam window.
Last year, for example, more than 30 exams were held over 15 days. Sources say draft plans for this year could see exams held over about 26 days or more.
Leaving Cert students who progress to third-level education are likely to begin their courses as late as November this year.
Best-case scenarios
Several third-level institutions have confirmed that they plan to admit first-year students in either late October or November under best-case scenarios.
The exact dates will depend on the timing of the exams, the duration of the marking process, and how quickly results and offers can be provided to students, according to well-placed sources.
“We’re looking at November at the very best,” said one higher education source, who declined to be named. “This is assuming everything goes smoothly and that timeframes for everything can be compressed.”
In addition, colleges are planning to make up lost time during the academic year by cutting short Christmas holidays and reading weeks for first-year students. This should allow them to complete their summer exams as normal.
Much of the timings will hinge on the timeframe for the exams and the marking process.
Discussions, meanwhile, are also taking place over details of plans for schools to resume teaching for sixth year students for two weeks ahead of the start of the Leaving Cert.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has requested that schools reopen for a minimum of two weeks in July prior to the exams.
This would require all teaching staff in secondary schools to be available on the premises.
Classes are likely to be divided up into smaller groups for social distancing purposes , according to sources.
Further details are also being discussed over plans for school-based tests to replace the Junior Cycle exams.
It is likely that exam papers would be delivered to schools and teachers would be required to administer and mark the exams.
The results would be incorporate students’ results on students’ Junior Cycle profile of achievement.
The likelihood of school year for secondary students beginning later in September is also being explored.
Some sources say this could involve a staggered return of classes over the course of a number of weeks.
“There is every chance that schools might not have the full complement of students in class until October,” said one source. “However, this all depends on public health advice.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Government supports green deal being central to EU economic recovery plan

The Government has indicated it fully supports a green deal being central to a new economic recovery plan at EU level – and aligned itself with 12 other member states .
The move was endorsed by Minister for Environment and Climate Action Richard Burton .
A total of 12 EU environment ministers had aligned in calling for the European Green Deal to be the central tenet of the post Covid-19 recovery process in response to a letter from the Green MEPs .
Mr Bruton confirmed on Thursday Ireland would join Austria ; Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Netherlands , Portugal , Spain , and Sweden in pushing for a sustainable and just recovery .
“ It is crucial that as we rebuild we make structural changes which will break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress .
We must embed climate resilience as part of our recovery , ” he said .
Prioritisation of the Green New Deal , together with action on climate and biodiversity is part of the framework for government document published by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on Tuesday .
Green MEP for Dublin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the European Parliament , Grace O ’ Sullivan , had written to the minister on Wednesday expressing concern Ireland had not joined with 12 other European colleagues “ in committing to a green post Covid-19 recovery for Europe ” .
“ We are delighted to receive word from the minister confirming Ireland will sign the declaration placing the green deal at the heart of the EU ’ s post-pandemic recovery plan , ” he added .
“ However , in light of the leaked information coming from the Commission around delays to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling on the Government to stand firm in its commitment and work to ensure the Commission do likewise , ” Mr Cuffe said .
Green MEP for Ireland South Grace O ’ Sullivan welcomed confirmation that the Government was backing a green deal that would be “ a central part of a new economic recovery plan , both nationally and at EU level ” .
The road to recovery would not be an easy one , she said , “ but the best way to ensure we come out of this crisis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery plan immediately , rooted firmly in the principles of the European Green Deal ” .
Any delays , particularly in relation to food supply issues , would leave people even more vulnerable to the worst impacts of the climate and biodiversity crisis , she believed .
“ It is crucial that we make the correct decisions now and the green deal provides the roadmap for a resilient , carbon-neutral Europe .
”

Richard Bruton: “It is crucial that as we rebuild we make structural changes which will break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress. We must embed climate resilience as part of our recovery.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
The Government has indicated it fully supports a green deal being central to a new economic recovery plan at EU level – and aligned itself with 12 other member states.
The move was endorsed by Minister for Environment and Climate Action Richard Burton. A total of 12 EU environment ministers had aligned in calling for the European Green Deal to be the central tenet of the post Covid-19 recovery process in response to a letter from the Green MEPs.
Mr Bruton confirmed on Thursday Ireland would join Austria; Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden in pushing for a sustainable and just recovery.
“It is crucial that as we rebuild we make structural changes which will break the link between fossil fuels and economic progress. We must embed climate resilience as part of our recovery,” he said.
READ MORE
Prioritisation of the Green New Deal, together with action on climate and biodiversity is part of the framework for government document published by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on Tuesday.
Green MEP for Dublin, Ciarán Cuffe said he and party colleague in the European Parliament, Grace O'Sullivan, had written to the minister on Wednesday expressing concern Ireland had not joined with 12 other European colleagues "in committing to a green post Covid-19 recovery for Europe".
“We are delighted to receive word from the minister confirming Ireland will sign the declaration placing the green deal at the heart of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan,” he added.
“However, in light of the leaked information coming from the Commission around delays to the European Green Deal, we are calling on the Government to stand firm in its commitment and work to ensure the Commission do likewise,” Mr Cuffe said.
Green MEP for Ireland South Grace O’Sullivan welcomed confirmation that the Government was backing a green deal that would be “a central part of a new economic recovery plan, both nationally and at EU level”.
The road to recovery would not be an easy one, she said, “but the best way to ensure we come out of this crisis on a stronger footing is to implement a recovery plan immediately, rooted firmly in the principles of the European Green Deal”.
Any delays, particularly in relation to food supply issues, would leave people even more vulnerable to the worst impacts of the climate and biodiversity crisis, she believed. "It is crucial that we make the correct decisions now and the green deal provides the roadmap for a resilient, carbon-neutral Europe. "


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Second white-tailed sea eagle chick for nature reserve

Glengarriff Nature Reserve has announced the arrival of a white-tailed sea eagle chick , the second born in Co Cork in this decade .
Parents Black P ( female ) and Blue W ( male ) are two of the 100 eagle chicks brought to Ireland from Norway from 2007 to 2011 as part of a programme to introduce the species to Ireland after a century of extinction .
Ireland ’ s new eagles are gradually becoming established breeders with about a dozen nesting pairs in counties Cork , Kerry , Tipperary and Galway .
It is Ireland ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 2.45m .
Females are about 40 per cent larger than the males and can weigh up to 7kg .
The white-tailed sea eagle reintroduction project is a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture , Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Golden Eagle Trust , in collaboration with the Norsk Institutt for Naturforskning and the Norwegian Ornithological Society .
The project is managed by Dr Allan Mee .
Conservation rangers were able to monitor the arrival of the chick at close quarters due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birds ’ nest .
The live feed from the camera was – and still is – shared online so all viewers can get an up close and personal view .
“ It ’ s a particular thrill to be able to share some of the excitement of watching eagles at the nest with a much wider audience .
Many people are largely confined to home at the moment so I hope bringing this bit of nature to people wherever they are brings a spark of joy and a message of hope , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been nesting in Glengarriff since 2013 .
In 2016 a pair of eagles at the nest raised the first eagle chick to fledge in Co Cork in more than a century .
It was called Eddie .
In 2018 the original female ( Green D ) was ousted by the younger female Black P. This new pairing of parents had up to now not fledged a chick .
Bad timing and weather , including Storm Hannah , were the causes according to the rangers who said they were delighted with their latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen here .
The history of the project , with images of the eagles is available here .

Glengarriff Nature Reserve has announced the arrival of a white-tailed sea eagle chick, the second born in Co Cork in this decade.
Parents Black P (female) and Blue W (male) are two of the 100 eagle chicks brought to Ireland from Norway from 2007 to 2011 as part of a programme to introduce the species to Ireland after a century of extinction.
Ireland’s new eagles are gradually becoming established breeders with about a dozen nesting pairs in counties Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Galway. It is Ireland’s largest bird, with a wingspan of up to 2.45m. Females are about 40 per cent larger than the males and can weigh up to 7kg.
The white-tailed sea eagle reintroduction project is a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Golden Eagle Trust, in collaboration with the Norsk Institutt for Naturforskning and the Norwegian Ornithological Society. The project is managed by Dr Allan Mee.
READ MORE
Conservation rangers were able to monitor the arrival of the chick at close quarters due to a remote camera set up near the birds’ nest. The live feed from the camera was – and still is – shared online so all viewers can get an up close and personal view.
‘A message of hope’
“It’s a particular thrill to be able to share some of the excitement of watching eagles at the nest with a much wider audience. Many people are largely confined to home at the moment so I hope bringing this bit of nature to people wherever they are brings a spark of joy and a message of hope,” said conservation ranger Clare Heardman.
Eagles have been nesting in Glengarriff since 2013. In 2016 a pair of eagles at the nest raised the first eagle chick to fledge in Co Cork in more than a century. It was called Eddie.
In 2018 the original female (Green D) was ousted by the younger female Black P. This new pairing of parents had up to now not fledged a chick. Bad timing and weather, including Storm Hannah, were the causes according to the rangers who said they were delighted with their latest success.
The sea eagle chicks can be seen here.
The history of the project, with images of the eagles is available here.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: Department of Health reports 43 more deaths of patients with Covid-19

The deaths of another 43 patients - 22 males and 21 females - diagnosed with Covid-19 have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team .
Some 34 of the deaths were in the east , four in the west and five in the south .
A total of 27 of the patients were reported as having underlying health conditions .
There have now been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic .
The median age of Thurday ’ s deaths is 84 .
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking “ around now ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philip Nolan of NUI Maynooth , who leads a team modelling trends in the epidemic , told a NPHET briefing on Thursday .
“ We may have reached a plateau , ” he said , though there remained “ a delicate balance between suppression and spiking ” of cases .
In each of the measures examined - new cases , ICU admissions and deaths - there has been a considerable slowing in their rate of growth , Prof Nolan said .
Since April 3rd , the growth rate in new cases has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , while ICU numbers have been stable since that time .
The R0 , or reproduction number , which measures the number of other people a confirmed case goes on to infect , now stands at between 0.7 and 1 , he said , down from 4 in the early stages of the outbreak .
While this showed that the disease was being suppressed , it also showed that if the relaxation of measures was being contemplated “ we have to be sure we don ’ t go back to a higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R0 of less than 1.0 means that each infected person is passing on the virus to less than one person .
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said if the restrictive measures had not been introduced , NPHET would have been reported 7,800 new cases on Thursday , and there would be 800 people in ICU .
By next week 2,200 people would need access to critical care and there would be up to 2,000 deaths - and 5,000 by the end of this month .
However , this “ significant impact ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof Nolan outlined a number of possible scenarios that could happen were the restrictive measures to be relaxed after May 5th .
Were the R0 to increase by an amount up to 1.6 , the number of cases would rise to a new peak , but this could be controlled through the re-imposition of measures after three weeks .
However , were the R0 to increase to 2.0 , this would almost certainly result in an “ unmanageable spike ” in cases , he said .
“ This is a clear signal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully.
” If restrictive measures were maintained , it was possible the disease could be suppressed , he said .
“ But then what do you do ?
It only take two or three people entering the country to restart it.
” Maintaining restrictions forever without thinking of restarting economic and social activity was “ not a viable strategy ” .
On Thursday , NPHET also reported 629 new confirmed cases processed by Irish labs , and 95 processed in a German lab .
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Tuesday , 55 per cent are in women and 45 per cent in men .
The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years , and 2,026 of the 12,425 cases were hospitalised .
Of those hospitalised , 284 were admitted to ICU .
The number of cases associated with healthcare workers has now passed the 3,000 mark , at 3,090 .
Of the deaths that have occurred so far , 298 or 61 per cent occurred in hospital and 44 were in ICU .
The median age of deaths was 82 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICU admissions dropped again on Thursday to 156 , and 90 patients have now been discharged from intensive care .
Dr Holohan said there have been 254 outbreaks in residential setting , of which 163 are in nursing homes .
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings , including 253 in nursing homes .
“ The data clearly shows that there are two very different experiences of Covid-19 in Ireland today .
In the population at large , the virus is contained and effectively suppressed .
“ However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term residential care settings continues to be a source of concern .
“ In order to protect the vulnerable the first task was to suppress the virus in the population at large .
We are increasingly confident that we are achieving this .
All of our efforts now need to be on extinguishing Coivd-19 in our community residential settings , including nursing homes .
”

Another 43 people have died, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has announced at the daily Department Of Health Covid-19 press briefing. The total number of people with the virus now stands at 13,271 in Ireland. Video: RTE News Now
The deaths of another 43 patients - 22 males and 21 females - diagnosed with Covid-19 have been reported by the National Public Health Emergency Team.
Some 34 of the deaths were in the east, four in the west and five in the south. A total of 27 of the patients were reported as having underlying health conditions. There have now been 486 Covid-19 related deaths in the Republic. The median age of Thurday’s deaths is 84.
The number of newly confirmed cases of Covid-19 is peaking “around now” and should decline in coming weeks, Prof Philip Nolan of NUI Maynooth, who leads a team modelling trends in the epidemic, told a NPHET briefing on Thursday.
“We may have reached a plateau,” he said, though there remained “a delicate balance between suppression and spiking” of cases.
READ MORE
In each of the measures examined - new cases, ICU admissions and deaths - there has been a considerable slowing in their rate of growth, Prof Nolan said.
Since April 3rd, the growth rate in new cases has been “close to zero”, he said, while ICU numbers have been stable since that time.
The R0, or reproduction number, which measures the number of other people a confirmed case goes on to infect, now stands at between 0.7 and 1, he said, down from 4 in the early stages of the outbreak.
While this showed that the disease was being suppressed, it also showed that if the relaxation of measures was being contemplated “we have to be sure we don’t go back to a higher (R0) number”.
An R0 of less than 1.0 means that each infected person is passing on the virus to less than one person.
Viable strategy
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said if the restrictive measures had not been introduced, NPHET would have been reported 7,800 new cases on Thursday, and there would be 800 people in ICU.
By next week 2,200 people would need access to critical care and there would be up to 2,000 deaths - and 5,000 by the end of this month.
However, this “significant impact” had been averted, he said.
Prof Nolan outlined a number of possible scenarios that could happen were the restrictive measures to be relaxed after May 5th.
Were the R0 to increase by an amount up to 1.6, the number of cases would rise to a new peak, but this could be controlled through the re-imposition of measures after three weeks.
However, were the R0 to increase to 2.0, this would almost certainly result in an “unmanageable spike” in cases, he said.
“This is a clear signal that whatever happens has to be approached exceptionally carefully.”
If restrictive measures were maintained, it was possible the disease could be suppressed, he said.
“But then what do you do? It only take two or three people entering the country to restart it.”
Maintaining restrictions forever without thinking of restarting economic and social activity was “not a viable strategy”.
On Thursday, NPHET also reported 629 new confirmed cases processed by Irish labs, and 95 processed in a German lab. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 13,271.
Of the cases occurring up to Tuesday, 55 per cent are in women and 45 per cent in men. The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years, and 2,026 of the 12,425 cases were hospitalised.
Of those hospitalised, 284 were admitted to ICU.
The number of cases associated with healthcare workers has now passed the 3,000 mark, at 3,090.
Of the deaths that have occurred so far, 298 or 61 per cent occurred in hospital and 44 were in ICU.
The median age of deaths was 82 years and the mean 69 years.
Suppressed
ICU admissions dropped again on Thursday to 156, and 90 patients have now been discharged from intensive care.
Dr Holohan said there have been 254 outbreaks in residential setting, of which 163 are in nursing homes.
Some 302 of the deaths so far have occurred in residential settings, including 253 in nursing homes.
“The data clearly shows that there are two very different experiences of Covid-19 in Ireland today. In the population at large, the virus is contained and effectively suppressed.
“However, the experience of the disease in long-term residential care settings continues to be a source of concern.
“In order to protect the vulnerable the first task was to suppress the virus in the population at large. We are increasingly confident that we are achieving this. All of our efforts now need to be on extinguishing Coivd-19 in our community residential settings, including nursing homes.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Coronavirus: ‘She passed away on her own, we are hurting’

People whose mothers have died in nursing homes from Covid-19 in recent days , have spoken of the trauma of knowing their mothers died , separated from family and loved ones .
Thomas Gray ’ s mother Patricia passed away on Wednesday evening , having taken a test for Covid-19 on Monday .
A positive test for the virus was then delivered on Thursday morning , a matter of hours after Patricia passed away .
Gráinne Fitzpatrick said her mother Doreen Corrigan died on Good Friday , even though the carers who looked after “ were absolutely brilliant ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful quality of life ” .
Speaking to Joe Duffy on RTÉ Radio One ’ s Liveline , Mr Gray said the hardest thing was that his mother had “ died alone ” .
Mr Gray spoke of having to deal with not being able to see her over the last couple of weeks and of the trauma of her diagnosis coming back after her death certificate had been written .
He said the nursing home had rightly locked down five weeks ago and “ wouldn ’ t let in anybody to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her own , we are hurting , her whole family are ” he said .
“ They tried tackle it , and then we were told last week that two patients had suspected Covid-19 so they moved my Mam to another ward , hoping and praying ” .
“ She passed away on her own , that ’ s the saddest thing ” .
he said .
Ms Fitzpatrick said the nursing home where her mother lived had been “ doing everything they could to keep their residents safe and to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doreen to hospital .
On Wednesday , Ms Fitzpatrick who lives in Kerry attended her mother ’ s funeral service via Skype .
She said the ceremony was “ surreal ” and “ clinical ” as the church pews were empty a few family members sat at the top of the church , 2m apart from each other in line with social distancing .

People pass messages of thanks left outside Naas General Hospital as restrictions remain in place to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
People whose mothers have died in nursing homes from Covid-19 in recent days, have spoken of the trauma of knowing their mothers died, separated from family and loved ones.
Thomas Gray’s mother Patricia passed away on Wednesday evening, having taken a test for Covid-19 on Monday. A positive test for the virus was then delivered on Thursday morning, a matter of hours after Patricia passed away.
Gráinne Fitzpatrick said her mother Doreen Corrigan died on Good Friday, even though the carers who looked after “were absolutely brilliant” and had previously given her mother a “wonderful quality of life”.
Speaking to Joe Duffy on RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline, Mr Gray said the hardest thing was that his mother had “died alone”.
READ MORE
Skype funeral
Mr Gray spoke of having to deal with not being able to see her over the last couple of weeks and of the trauma of her diagnosis coming back after her death certificate had been written.
He said the nursing home had rightly locked down five weeks ago and “wouldn’t let in anybody to see anybody”.
“She passed away on her own, we are hurting, her whole family are” he said.
“They tried tackle it, and then we were told last week that two patients had suspected Covid-19 so they moved my Mam to another ward, hoping and praying”.
“She passed away on her own, that’s the saddest thing”. he said.
Ms Fitzpatrick said the nursing home where her mother lived had been “doing everything they could to keep their residents safe and to keep it under control” before they transferred Doreen to hospital.
On Wednesday, Ms Fitzpatrick who lives in Kerry attended her mother’s funeral service via Skype. She said the ceremony was “surreal” and “clinical” as the church pews were empty a few family members sat at the top of the church, 2m apart from each other in line with social distancing.


theirishtimes--2020-04-16--Agency secures order to place teen at risk from drug dealers in secure placement

The Child and Family Agency has secured a High Court order allowing it to place a 14-year-old boy feared to be at risk of violence from drug dealers into secure unit for troubled teens .
The teenager , who has a history of engaging in aggressive behaviour and absconding from several places he had been put by the agency , is thought to have been involved in some level of drug dealing himself .
It was now feared by the Child and Family Agency that the teen was under threat of physical violence from a gang of older youths involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy , who can not be named for legal reasons , had been taking drugs himself .
As a result of the threat to his well-being , and other risky behaviour , the boy has engaged in , including associating with a negative peer group , the agency sought orders allowing it to detain him in a secure location so he can get the help and supports he needs .
Seeking the order at the High Court David Leahy BL , instructed by solicitor Conor Fottrell of Mason Hayes and Curran , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen has had “ a very difficult life.
” He had come to the agency ’ s attention when he was very young , and was first made the subject of care arrangements when he was six .
All his placements , which included a period in foster care and placements at non-secure facilities had broken down , counsel said .
Both his parents had used heroin , counsel said .
While in the care of family members the boy was subject to physical abuse and had been exposed to sexualised behaviour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when in other placements , had been violent and aggressive towards staff at the units , counsel added , particularly when his access to wifi was limited .
The temporary order allowing the Child and Family Agency detain the teen and put him in the special care unit was granted , on an ex-parte basis by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey .
The judge also appointed a guardian at litem to represent the teen ’ s interests and adjourned the case to a date later this month .

The Child and Family Agency has secured a High Court order allowing it to place a 14-year-old boy feared to be at risk of violence from drug dealers into secure unit for troubled teens.
The teenager, who has a history of engaging in aggressive behaviour and absconding from several places he had been put by the agency, is thought to have been involved in some level of drug dealing himself.
It was now feared by the Child and Family Agency that the teen was under threat of physical violence from a gang of older youths involved in drug dealing, and that the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been taking drugs himself.
As a result of the threat to his well-being, and other risky behaviour, the boy has engaged in, including associating with a negative peer group, the agency sought orders allowing it to detain him in a secure location so he can get the help and supports he needs.
READ MORE
Seeking the order at the High Court David Leahy BL, instructed by solicitor Conor Fottrell of Mason Hayes and Curran, for the Child and Family Agency said the teen has had “a very difficult life.”
He had come to the agency’s attention when he was very young, and was first made the subject of care arrangements when he was six.
All his placements, which included a period in foster care and placements at non-secure facilities had broken down, counsel said.
Both his parents had used heroin, counsel said. While in the care of family members the boy was subject to physical abuse and had been exposed to sexualised behaviour, counsel said.
More recently the teen, when in other placements, had been violent and aggressive towards staff at the units, counsel added, particularly when his access to wifi was limited.
The temporary order allowing the Child and Family Agency detain the teen and put him in the special care unit was granted, on an ex-parte basis by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey.
The judge also appointed a guardian at litem to represent the teen’s interests and adjourned the case to a date later this month.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Doctors seek investment of ‘historic proportions’ after Covid-19 crisis

Doctors have called for an investment programme “ of historic proportions ” in the country ’ s health service on foot of the current Covid-19 crisis .
In a speech to mark what would have been the opening of the annual conference of the Irish Medical Organisation ( IMO ) this weekend its president Dr Padraig McGarry said “ we must never again allow our health services to be so underfunded and understaffed ” .
The IMO ’ s annual gathering , like all of the other traditional post -Easter public service union conferences , was called off as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his address on Friday , Dr McGarry said the fragility of the country ’ s health services was being exposed as never before due to the current crisis .
“ We have over 1,100 newly qualified doctors coming into our health services in the next few weeks .
We welcome our new colleagues and assure them of the support of all experienced doctors to help them through what will be a particularly challenging start to their careers in medicine.
” However Dr McGarry said the simple fact was that the country had far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in hospitals , in general practice and in public health .
“ It is not enough to thank people for their efforts , Government must actually support a proactive recruitment programme and financially support a fast track programme for additional beds and services .
The women and men of our health system have risen to the challenges that Covid-19 has presented .
We continue to work to care for our patients but we need to see ongoing support from the Government.
” The IMO , Dr McGarry said , would seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scale and focus of a badly needed investment programme for the health services ” .
He said priorities for the IMO would include : - Increasing the capacity of the public hospitals .
- Investment to recruit and retain doctors to work in the health service here , including targeted measures to address our unprecedented number of consultant vacancies .
- Investment programme for general practice which has proven its pivotal position in the frontline of the public health response to Covid-19 .
- Investing in and supporting our public health doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health policy and the well-being of the nation .

IMO president Dr Padraig McGarry: “we must never again allow our health services to be so underfunded and understaffed”. File photograph: Getty Images
Doctors have called for an investment programme “of historic proportions” in the country’s health service on foot of the current Covid-19 crisis.
In a speech to mark what would have been the opening of the annual conference of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) this weekend its president Dr Padraig McGarry said "we must never again allow our health services to be so underfunded and understaffed".
The IMO’s annual gathering, like all of the other traditional post -Easter public service union conferences, was called off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
In his address on Friday, Dr McGarry said the fragility of the country’s health services was being exposed as never before due to the current crisis. “We have over 1,100 newly qualified doctors coming into our health services in the next few weeks. We welcome our new colleagues and assure them of the support of all experienced doctors to help them through what will be a particularly challenging start to their careers in medicine.”
READ MORE
However Dr McGarry said the simple fact was that the country had far too few doctors right across the system, in hospitals, in general practice and in public health.
“It is not enough to thank people for their efforts, Government must actually support a proactive recruitment programme and financially support a fast track programme for additional beds and services. The women and men of our health system have risen to the challenges that Covid-19 has presented. We continue to work to care for our patients but we need to see ongoing support from the Government.”
The IMO, Dr McGarry said, would seek to negotiate with any incoming Government “on the scale and focus of a badly needed investment programme for the health services”. He said priorities for the IMO would include:
- Increasing the capacity of the public hospitals.
- Investment to recruit and retain doctors to work in the health service here, including targeted measures to address our unprecedented number of consultant vacancies.
- Investment programme for general practice which has proven its pivotal position in the frontline of the public health response to Covid-19.
- Investing in and supporting our public health doctors and recognising their invaluable contribution to national health policy and the well-being of the nation.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Isis suspect Lisa Smith unable to appear in court due to Covid-19 epidemic

The Director of Public Prosecutions ( DPP ) has completed the book of evidence for the trial of Isis suspect Lisa Smith .
After a trek from war-torn Syria to Turkey with her daughter , aged two , the former Irish Defence Forces member was brought back to Ireland on December 1st last .
However , the Co Louth woman was unable to appear before Dublin District Court on Friday because of the coronavirus crisis .
State solicitor John Forde confirmed that the book of evidence was ready .
He told Judge Grainne Malone the accused ’ s Belfast-based solicitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about seeking an administrative adjournment in light of the Covid-19 restrictions .
Judge Malone adjourned the case in her absence until July 17th next when she is to be served with the book of evidence and returned for trial to a higher court .
However , the trial venue has not yet been stated .
The mother-of-one , aged 38 , was questioned for three days before she was charged with being a member of Isis from 2015 to 2019 .
After a brief stint in custody on remand , she was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December which ordered her to abide by a list of strict conditions including an internet and social media ban .
Her lawyers pleaded on her behalf with the DPP to drop the case due to lack of evidence .
Last month her solicitor Peter Corrigan has said Ms Smith was anxious to prove her innocence .

Last month Lisa Smith’s solicitor Peter Corrigan has said Ms Smith was anxious to prove her innocence. File photograph: Collins Courts
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has completed the book of evidence for the trial of Isis suspect Lisa Smith.
After a trek from war-torn Syria to Turkey with her daughter, aged two, the former Irish Defence Forces member was brought back to Ireland on December 1st last.
However, the Co Louth woman was unable to appear before Dublin District Court on Friday because of the coronavirus crisis.
State solicitor John Forde confirmed that the book of evidence was ready.
READ MORE
He told Judge Grainne Malone the accused’s Belfast-based solicitors had intended to contact the Courts Service about seeking an administrative adjournment in light of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Judge Malone adjourned the case in her absence until July 17th next when she is to be served with the book of evidence and returned for trial to a higher court.
However, the trial venue has not yet been stated.
The mother-of-one, aged 38, was questioned for three days before she was charged with being a member of Isis from 2015 to 2019. After a brief stint in custody on remand, she was released on bail by the High Court in December which ordered her to abide by a list of strict conditions including an internet and social media ban.
Her lawyers pleaded on her behalf with the DPP to drop the case due to lack of evidence. Last month her solicitor Peter Corrigan has said Ms Smith was anxious to prove her innocence.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Man (22) arrested over Traveller feud attack at Cork service station

Gardaí have arrested a man ( 22 ) for questioning about an assault on another man in a service station in Cork amid a feud between two Traveller families in the city .
Detectives arrested the suspect at the Hollyhill halting site on Cork ’ s northside at 9am on Friday and brought him to Gurranebraher Garda Station where he is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act .
Officers are questioning him about an assault at the Blarney service station at around 10.30am on Thursday when three men attacked a man , punching , kicking and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured man was taken Cork University Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later discharged .
The attack was captured on CCTV , and the assailants filmed the assault and posted it on social media on Thursday in a challenge to the rival family in the three-month long feud between the Traveller families .
The victim , who is in his 20s , later posted a response on social media to the attack .
Last week , gardaí charged one man from either faction in the feud with making threats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides posted messages on social media on April 6th .
Det Gda John Gleeson said the man ( 33 ) he had arrested at the Spring Lane Halting site in Blackpool had threatened a member of the other family on his Facebook page .
Det Det Garda Pat Barry said the man ( 24 ) he had arrested in Knocknaheeny had similarly threatened the other man in a social media posting .
Gardaí objected to bail for both accused and , following consideration of submissions from defence solicitors Frank Buttimer and Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remanded both accused in custody .

Gardaí arrested a man at the Hollyhill halting site on Cork’s northside. File photograph: The Irish Times
Gardaí have arrested a man (22) for questioning about an assault on another man in a service station in Cork amid a feud between two Traveller families in the city.
Detectives arrested the suspect at the Hollyhill halting site on Cork's northside at 9am on Friday and brought him to Gurranebraher Garda Station where he is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
Officers are questioning him about an assault at the Blarney service station at around 10.30am on Thursday when three men attacked a man, punching, kicking and hitting him with a hurley.
The injured man was taken Cork University Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later discharged.
READ MORE
The attack was captured on CCTV, and the assailants filmed the assault and posted it on social media on Thursday in a challenge to the rival family in the three-month long feud between the Traveller families.
The victim, who is in his 20s, later posted a response on social media to the attack.
Last week, gardaí charged one man from either faction in the feud with making threats to kill or seriously injure each other after both sides posted messages on social media on April 6th.
Det Gda John Gleeson said the man (33) he had arrested at the Spring Lane Halting site in Blackpool had threatened a member of the other family on his Facebook page.
Det Det Garda Pat Barry said the man (24)he had arrested in Knocknaheeny had similarly threatened the other man in a social media posting.
Gardaí objected to bail for both accused and, following consideration of submissions from defence solicitors Frank Buttimer and Thomas Coughlan, Judge Olann Kelleher refused bail and remanded both accused in custody.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Everything you need to know about your health insurance policy

Is it true my health insurance company is giving me my money back ?
Yes , at least partially .
The VHI , Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health have all confirmed that policy holders will be getting refunds in the weeks ahead as a result of the Government ’ s effective takeover of the State ’ s private hospitals .
Remind me again why that happened ?
Last month , as the Government readied itself for the coronavirus “ surge ” , it reached an agreement with 19 private hospitals to effectively take control of them in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people with Covid-19 grew .
The move meant that almost overnight an estimated 2,000 beds become available to the HSE at a time when the public system was facing a potential major surge of patients ill with the virus .
The deal is going to cost the HSE around €115 million a month .
So what am I paying my private health insurance for now then ?
That is a question many people have asked as the move did mean many of the elements of the private health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unavailable .
There will continue to be some parts of the private healthcare system operating in the coming days , such as maternity and psychiatric care , but for the months ahead the scale of what is on offer in the private health market will be dramatically reduced for the greater good .
So , why don ’ t I just cancel my policy now and start it again when things are back to normal ?
That would be a bad idea and could leave you without cover for many things for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-standing rules governing health insurance in Ireland a person who lets their policy lapse for 90 days or more is considered as a new entrant to the market when they take out a new policy .
That means waiting periods of up to a year apply before any claims will be entertained while a person with a pre-existing condition may have to wait up to five years before they will be able to make a claim for treatments for that particular condition .
How much am I paying for health insurance anyway ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their are more than 300 policies on the market and range in price from substantially less than €1,000 a year to well in excess of €4,000 a year .
But the average cost of a health insurance policy in Ireland is around €1,800 , which equates to €150 a month .
So if the crisis lasts three months , will I get back €450 ?
No .
How the three companies are handling the refunds differs but people should expect to get back around half of what they pay in the three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break it down for me ?
The VHI is to waive premium costs by an average of 50 per cent for subscribers for an initial three-month period .
Laya Healthcare is to provide a cashback payment up to €195 for every adult member and €60 for every child member .
A family of two adults and two children will be refunded a total of €510 .
Irish Life Health customers with advanced plans will get between 36 per cent and 60 per cent of their monthly premium back while those on plans with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of between 17 per cent and 21 per cent .
And how will these refunds be processed by the companies ?
In slightly different ways The VHI has said its reductions will be applied retrospectively to premiums paid by customers for April , May and June .
Its “ waiver period will be for an initial three months ( mid-May 2020 to mid-August 2020 ) .
Laya Healthcare members will see the refund “ split into three equal instalments and paid over three months - April to June 2020 .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
Members must have a current active policy on the 1st of each month - April , May , June - to qualify for the monthly instalments.
” Irish Life Health members will see the reduction applied retrospectively to premiums paid by customers for April , May and June and will be offset against premiums due in the following months .
How can the companies afford refunds of this scale ?
For a start they will be making substantial savings in the next three months as there will be a dramatic reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That gives them a pretty significant war chest .
So why am I only getting back half of what I have paid so ?
Because the companies have to remain solvent and have to be mindful that while the numbers making claims in the weeks ahead will be dramatically reduced , claims will almost certainly spike as the system starts to return to normal and deferred procedures take place .
What do you mean ?
A person who needs to have hip replacement operation done today is not going to be miraculously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the procedure done in the private system in May or June .
They will need to have it later in the year which will increase the level of claims being made .
What happens if the crisis lasts longer than three months ?
The likelihood is that the arrangements being made by the insurers will be extended .
I have lost my job as a result of the crisis and will struggle to pay my premium .
What happens to me ?
The companies have committed to putting support measures in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial circumstances as a direct result of the pandemic .
The supports will depend on a customer ’ s individual circumstances but the best advice for anyone struggling now is not to let the policy lapse but to make contact with their provider to see what can be done to help them .
Yes , the companies have taken steps to extend day-to-day benefits to telephone or online consultations with GP ’ s , clinical psychologists , physiotherapists , dieticians , and practice nurses as well as physical therapists , occupational therapists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if my employer pays my health insurance ?
This will also be dealt with .
Addressing this , Laya Healthcare said that if an employer pays for a member ’ s health insurance , it will distribute a payment directly to the employee and a separate payment will be made to the employer .
Companies have different arrangements with their employees - some pay for cover in full , others make a part-contribution , so exact details will be communicated to these members and their employers directly to reflect their individual circumstances .

The VHI, Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health have all confirmed that policy holders will be getting refunds in the weeks ahead as a result of the Government’s effective takeover of the State’s private hospitals. File photograph: Getty Images
Is it true my health insurance company is giving me my money back?
Yes, at least partially. The VHI, Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health have all confirmed that policy holders will be getting refunds in the weeks ahead as a result of the Government's effective takeover of the State's private hospitals.
Remind me again why that happened?
Last month, as the Government readied itself for the coronavirus “surge”, it reached an agreement with 19 private hospitals to effectively take control of them in order to provide additional capacity to the public as the number of people with Covid-19 grew. The move meant that almost overnight an estimated 2,000 beds become available to the HSE at a time when the public system was facing a potential major surge of patients ill with the virus. The deal is going to cost the HSE around €115 million a month.
READ MORE
So what am I paying my private health insurance for now then?
That is a question many people have asked as the move did mean many of the elements of the private health care system which they were paying for are now unavailable. There will continue to be some parts of the private healthcare system operating in the coming days, such as maternity and psychiatric care, but for the months ahead the scale of what is on offer in the private health market will be dramatically reduced for the greater good.
So, why don’t I just cancel my policy now and start it again when things are back to normal?
That would be a bad idea and could leave you without cover for many things for a long time into the future. Under long-standing rules governing health insurance in Ireland a person who lets their policy lapse for 90 days or more is considered as a new entrant to the market when they take out a new policy. That means waiting periods of up to a year apply before any claims will be entertained while a person with a pre-existing condition may have to wait up to five years before they will be able to make a claim for treatments for that particular condition.
How much am I paying for health insurance anyway?
That depends on the policy you have their are more than 300 policies on the market and range in price from substantially less than €1,000 a year to well in excess of €4,000 a year. But the average cost of a health insurance policy in Ireland is around €1,800, which equates to €150 a month.
So if the crisis lasts three months, will I get back €450?
No. How the three companies are handling the refunds differs but people should expect to get back around half of what they pay in the three months between April and June.
Can you break it down for me?
The VHI is to waive premium costs by an average of 50 per cent for subscribers for an initial three-month period. Laya Healthcare is to provide a cashback payment up to €195 for every adult member and €60 for every child member. A family of two adults and two children will be refunded a total of €510. Irish Life Health customers with advanced plans will get between 36 per cent and 60 per cent of their monthly premium back while those on plans with largely public hospital cover will get rebates of between 17 per cent and 21 per cent.
And how will these refunds be processed by the companies?
In slightly different ways The VHI has said its reductions will be applied retrospectively to premiums paid by customers for April, May and June. Its “waiver period will be for an initial three months (mid-May 2020 to mid-August 2020). Laya Healthcare members will see the refund “split into three equal instalments and paid over three months - April to June 2020. “We will pay the first instalment by April 30th 2020. Members must have a current active policy on the 1st of each month - April, May, June - to qualify for the monthly instalments.” Irish Life Health members will see the reduction applied retrospectively to premiums paid by customers for April, May and June and will be offset against premiums due in the following months.
How can the companies afford refunds of this scale?
For a start they will be making substantial savings in the next three months as there will be a dramatic reduction in the level of claims being made. That gives them a pretty significant war chest.
So why am I only getting back half of what I have paid so?
Because the companies have to remain solvent and have to be mindful that while the numbers making claims in the weeks ahead will be dramatically reduced, claims will almost certainly spike as the system starts to return to normal and deferred procedures take place.
What do you mean?
A person who needs to have hip replacement operation done today is not going to be miraculously cured just because they can not have the procedure done in the private system in May or June. They will need to have it later in the year which will increase the level of claims being made.
What happens if the crisis lasts longer than three months?
The likelihood is that the arrangements being made by the insurers will be extended.
I have lost my job as a result of the crisis and will struggle to pay my premium. What happens to me?
The companies have committed to putting support measures in place for customers who have found themselves in difficult financial circumstances as a direct result of the pandemic. The supports will depend on a customer’s individual circumstances but the best advice for anyone struggling now is not to let the policy lapse but to make contact with their provider to see what can be done to help them.
Anything else?
Yes, the companies have taken steps to extend day-to-day benefits to telephone or online consultations with GP’s, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, dieticians, and practice nurses as well as physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.
What happens if my employer pays my health insurance?
This will also be dealt with. Addressing this, Laya Healthcare said that if an employer pays for a member’s health insurance, it will distribute a payment directly to the employee and a separate payment will be made to the employer. Companies have different arrangements with their employees - some pay for cover in full, others make a part-contribution, so exact details will be communicated to these members and their employers directly to reflect their individual circumstances.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus: 5,000 return to Ireland and 1,000 want to come home

Some 5,000 Irish citizens have returned to Ireland over the last month as the global coronavirus pandemic took hold .
Over the Easter weekend alone , citizens were repatriated from Vietnam , Cambodia , New Zealand and South Africa .
A further 1,000 citizens have conveyed an interest in returning home , the Government has revealed .
Meanwhile , more than 45,000 employers are now registered with the temporary wage subsidy scheme set up to keep workers in employment during the pandemic and associated restrictions on movement and commerce .
To date €267 million has been drawn down from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revenue Commissioners will be in people ’ s bank accounts next week , the assistant general secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach Liz Canavan has told a daily briefing on Friday .
The Government is increasing the amount it will pay under the coronavirus wage subsidy scheme in a bid to keep more part-time workers on the payroll .
The subsidy , introduced as an emergency measure last month , will be increased from 70 per cent to 85 per cent for employees who earn less than €24,400 per year .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be extended to higher-paid workers – those earning over €76,000 – in a bid to reduce the number of people being laid off .
The move comes after employers said that some of their part-time and low-paid staff were not working because they could earn more from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment .
The public has been advised of a bogus email in circulation at present purporting to be from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection seeking a refund in unemployment payments made to customers from a nominated bank account .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from gmail or hotmail accounts , neither of which the department uses .
Drivers ’ licence and learner permits due to expire by June 30th have been extended for a further four months .
The same extensions will apply to certificates of competency received on passing a driving test , driver theory test certificates , motorcycle and basic training certificates .
It will also apply to national car tests ( NCTs ) due to expire by June 30th and the commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests .
Ms Cavanan said this will ensure that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the temporary closure of the Road Safety Authority facilities and “ will , in particular , help to keep vital supply chain workers on our roads ” .
The Department of Transport is monitoring a dispute between P & O Ferries and Liverpool and Peel ports over the non-payment of fees by the company .
As a result the Norbay , one of three P & O vessels on the Dublin-Liverpool route , was impounded at Liverpool Port as it was due to sail to Dublin .
Ms Canavan said that though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did have implications for the supply chain in Ireland .
She said P & O ferries accounts for less than 20 per cent of the freight between Britain and Ireland .
She said the other ferry operators will be able to take up the slack and the supply chain is unlikely to be affected .
Glas payments , the green low-carbon scheme for farmers , will be brought forward by a month and €26 million will start issuing to 42,300 farmers early next week .
She said the payment should “ significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during these challenging times ” .
A subsidy of €4 million has been announced to support audiovisual production companies and creative talent indeveloping a strong slate of projects .
The money will be assigned to production companies , screenwriters and others in TV and animation .
Ms Canavan conc luded by stating that the Irish public must “ keep it up ” when it comes to retaining social distancing .
“ We need to keep going to protect ourselves , our families and our community , ” she said .

Liz Canavan, Assistant Secretary to the Department of Taoiseach, during a media brieifng on coronavirus this week. Photograph: Collins
Some 5,000 Irish citizens have returned to Ireland over the last month as the global coronavirus pandemic took hold.
Over the Easter weekend alone, citizens were repatriated from Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and South Africa.
A further 1,000 citizens have conveyed an interest in returning home, the Government has revealed.
Meanwhile, more than 45,000 employers are now registered with the temporary wage subsidy scheme set up to keep workers in employment during the pandemic and associated restrictions on movement and commerce.
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To date €267 million has been drawn down from the scheme. Further refunds generated by the Revenue Commissioners will be in people's bank accounts next week, the assistant general secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach Liz Canavan has told a daily briefing on Friday.
The Government is increasing the amount it will pay under the coronavirus wage subsidy scheme in a bid to keep more part-time workers on the payroll.
The subsidy, introduced as an emergency measure last month, will be increased from 70 per cent to 85 per cent for employees who earn less than €24,400 per year.
Under the changes, the scheme will also be extended to higher-paid workers – those earning over €76,000 – in a bid to reduce the number of people being laid off.
The move comes after employers said that some of their part-time and low-paid staff were not working because they could earn more from the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Bogus emails
The public has been advised of a bogus email in circulation at present purporting to be from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection seeking a refund in unemployment payments made to customers from a nominated bank account.
The department said the emails usually come from gmail or hotmail accounts, neither of which the department uses.
Drivers’ licence and learner permits due to expire by June 30th have been extended for a further four months.
The same extensions will apply to certificates of competency received on passing a driving test, driver theory test certificates, motorcycle and basic training certificates. It will also apply to national car tests (NCTs) due to expire by June 30th and the commercial vehicle roadworthiness tests.
Ms Cavanan said this will ensure that people will not lose out as a result of the temporary closure of the Road Safety Authority facilities and "will, in particular, help to keep vital supply chain workers on our roads".
The Department of Transport is monitoring a dispute between P&O Ferries and Liverpool and Peel ports over the non-payment of fees by the company.
As a result the Norbay, one of three P&O vessels on the Dublin-Liverpool route, was impounded at Liverpool Port as it was due to sail to Dublin.
Ms Canavan said that though it was fundamentally a contractual dispute, it did have implications for the supply chain in Ireland.
She said P&O ferries accounts for less than 20 per cent of the freight between Britain and Ireland. She said the other ferry operators will be able to take up the slack and the supply chain is unlikely to be affected.
Farmer payments
Glas payments, the green low-carbon scheme for farmers, will be brought forward by a month and €26 million will start issuing to 42,300 farmers early next week.
She said the payment should “significantly increase the cash flow on Irish farms during these challenging times”.
A subsidy of €4 million has been announced to support audiovisual production companies and creative talent indeveloping a strong slate of projects.
The money will be assigned to production companies, screenwriters and others in TV and animation.
Ms Canavan conc luded by stating that the Irish public must “keep it up” when it comes to retaining social distancing.
“We need to keep going to protect ourselves, our families and our community,” she said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Nurses account for nearly one-in-ten coronavirus cases, new data shows

Nearly one in every ten people in Ireland who has contracted Covid-19 is a nurse , new HSE figures show .
The figures , released to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation ( INMO ) reveal that that healthcare workers make up over a quarter of the Covid-19 positive cases tested in Ireland .
A total of 9.2 per cent of diagnosed cases in Ireland are nurses , according to the HSE data .
The INMO has sought “ an immediate investigation ” into the procurement of personal protective equipment in the HSE after it said its embers were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources when hospitals said these could not be obtained .
In a letter to the head of the HSE Paul Reid on Thursday the INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said there should also be “ a full audit of available domestic supplies ( of personal protective equipment ) from all possible sources and the distribution of same must be undertaken as a matter of urgency ” “ We have several reports from members that they have been able to procure and supply personal protective equipment from domestic suppliers .
One example is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was told that their supplies of personal protective equipment would not last the night shift .
One nurse then contacted a local supplier and secured 2,000 masks which were delivered to the hospital .
It is simply not acceptable that staff in the frontline have to secure their own protective equipment.
” Ms Ní Sheaghdha also said the union wanted as a matter of priority , a review of occupational health advice that granted derogations to essential workers who were suspected Covid 19 positive , or were close contacts of people with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day quarantine period .
“ There is no evidence that despite being asymptomatic that they are not a vector for this virus , and there is WHO evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission ” , she said .
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said the INMO expected that no stone would be left unturned in seeking all available supplies of personal protective equipment domestically , as well as internationally , to protect its members when they are at work .
“ If our members can source supplies at short notice domestically there are serious questions to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme urgency as shortages are being reported to us at an increasing rate .
There can not be an expectation that staff will work without adequate personal protective equipment.
” The HSE figures , which were released by the INMO on Friday show that of some 9,599 Covid-19 cases diagnosed by the 11th of April , 2,501 were healthcare workers ( 26 per cent ) - over a third ( 883 ) of whom were nurses .
The union said that Ireland faced one of the highest rates of diagnosed healthcare worker infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre for Disease Prevention and Control found on 8th of April that across Europe , “ between 9 per cent and 26 per cent of all diagnosed Covid-19 cases are in healthcare workers.
” The INMO said it wanted to see action and clarity on the figures , including : * A universal face mask policy for all workers in healthcare settings ; * More frequent and detailed publication of statistics on healthcare worker infection , including the source of transmission ; * Updated guidance on personal protective equipment and for occupational health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate and safe time for self-isolation .
Ms Ní Sheaghdha , said : “ The overall public health measures are having a welcome and substantial impact on the spread of Covid-19 .
Worryingly , rates of healthcare worker infection are on the rise .
“ We need to urgently see a detailed breakdown of where the infection is occurring , in order to take rapid corrective action .
That should include a review of policy to ensure everyone working in a healthcare facility has the appropriate level of personal protective equipment .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We also need to see these figures for healthcare workers published officially and regularly .
Clarity and transparency on this issue will prevent unhelpful , runaway speculation which has caused great fears amongst our members and their colleagues in other professions .
”

Nearly one in every ten people in Ireland who has contracted Covid-19 is a nurse, new HSE figures show.
The figures, released to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) reveal that that healthcare workers make up over a quarter of the Covid-19 positive cases tested in Ireland. A total of 9.2 per cent of diagnosed cases in Ireland are nurses, according to the HSE data.
The INMO has sought “an immediate investigation” into the procurement of personal protective equipment in the HSE after it said its embers were on occasion able to secure supplies from domestic sources when hospitals said these could not be obtained.
Irish Times Graphics
Irish Times Graphics
In a letter to the head of the HSE Paul Reid on Thursday the INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said there should also be “a full audit of available domestic supplies (of personal protective equipment) from all possible sources and the distribution of same must be undertaken as a matter of urgency”
READ MORE
“We have several reports from members that they have been able to procure and supply personal protective equipment from domestic suppliers. One example is this afternoon: a large acute hospital was told that their supplies of personal protective equipment would not last the night shift. One nurse then contacted a local supplier and secured 2,000 masks which were delivered to the hospital. It is simply not acceptable that staff in the frontline have to secure their own protective equipment.”
Ms Ní Sheaghdha also said the union wanted as a matter of priority, a review of occupational health advice that granted derogations to essential workers who were suspected Covid 19 positive, or were close contacts of people with the virus to work when asymptomatic within the 14-day quarantine period.
“There is no evidence that despite being asymptomatic that they are not a vector for this virus, and there is WHO evidence of pre-symptomatic transmission”, she said.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha said the INMO expected that no stone would be left unturned in seeking all available supplies of personal protective equipment domestically, as well as internationally, to protect its members when they are at work.
“If our members can source supplies at short notice domestically there are serious questions to be asked. This is a matter of extreme urgency as shortages are being reported to us at an increasing rate. There cannot be an expectation that staff will work without adequate personal protective equipment.”
The HSE figures, which were released by the INMO on Friday show that of some 9,599 Covid-19 cases diagnosed by the 11th of April, 2,501 were healthcare workers (26 per cent) - over a third (883) of whom were nurses.
The union said that Ireland faced one of the highest rates of diagnosed healthcare worker infection in Europe. It said the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control found on 8th of April that across Europe, "between 9 per cent and 26 per cent of all diagnosed Covid-19 cases are in healthcare workers."
The INMO said it wanted to see action and clarity on the figures, including:
* A universal face mask policy for all workers in healthcare settings;
* More frequent and detailed publication of statistics on healthcare worker infection, including the source of transmission;
* Updated guidance on personal protective equipment and for occupational health, ensuring that healthcare staff are given appropriate and safe time for self-isolation.
Ms Ní Sheaghdha, said:“The overall public health measures are having a welcome and substantial impact on the spread of Covid-19. Worryingly, rates of healthcare worker infection are on the rise.
“We need to urgently see a detailed breakdown of where the infection is occurring, in order to take rapid corrective action. That should include a review of policy to ensure everyone working in a healthcare facility has the appropriate level of personal protective equipment . It is consistently our members’ top concern.
“We also need to see these figures for healthcare workers published officially and regularly. Clarity and transparency on this issue will prevent unhelpful, runaway speculation which has caused great fears amongst our members and their colleagues in other professions.”


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 deaths at least one third higher than reported

The number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland is at least one third higher than previously reported , it was confirmed on Friday .
Most of the additional recorded deaths happened in care homes and hospices .
New figures have revealed that while 118 Covid-19 deaths were recorded by the North ’ s public health agency ( PHA ) up to April 10th , a more accurate figure of coronavirus fatalities up to that date is 157 .
The Northern Ireland statistics and research agency ( NISRA ) published new figures on Friday that show that at least 39 suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PHA figures up to week ending Friday , April 10th .
The discrepancy , as explained by NISRA , is mainly down to suspected coronavirus deaths that occurred in Northern Ireland care homes and hospices but were not included in the PHA figures up to April 10th .
Of the 118 deaths recorded by the PHA up to April 10th the vast majority occurred in hospitals although a small number would have happened at home or in care homes .
Of the 157 deaths involving Covid-19 up to April 10th , 109 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 41 ( 26 per cent ) occurred in care homes and hospices and seven ( four per cent ) occurred at private addresses , according to NISRA .
The 41 deaths in care homes and hospices involved 23 separate establishments .
The NISRA weekly provisional death statistics , which are based on death registration information collected by the general register office in Northern Ireland , count all deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate by the doctor who certified the death , whether or not Covid-19 was the primary underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for the previous five years the average number of deaths in Northern Ireland in week 14 – in this case the week ending April 10th - was 295 , but that the number of deaths in the North in that week this year was 435 .
This means that the number of deaths this year is 140 above the average number of deaths in Northern Ireland for the previous five years .
This , according to NISRA , is also the trend for Britain .

The number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland is at least one third higher than previously reported, it was confirmed on Friday.
Most of the additional recorded deaths happened in care homes and hospices.
This prompted trade unions in Northern Ireland to call for more resources to be “urgently deployed” to community settings such as “care homes and for those front line workers delivering domiciliary care to vulnerable people in their homes”.
The new figures revealed that while 118 Covid-19 deaths were recorded by the North's Public Health Agency (PHA) up to Friday April 10th, a more accurate figure of coronavirus fatalities up to that date is 157.
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The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) published new figures on Friday that show that at least 39 suspected Covid-19 deaths were not recorded in the PHA figures up to week ending April 10th.
The discrepancy, as explained by Nisra, is mainly down to the fact that suspected coronavirus deaths in care homes and hospices were not included in the PHA figures up to April 10th.
Of the 118 deaths recorded by the PHA up to April 10th, the vast majority occurred in hospitals, with a small number at residences or in care homes.
The Nisra report says that of the 157 deaths involving Covid-19 up to April 10th, 109 (69 per cent) occurred in hospital, 41 (26 per cent) occurred in care homes and hospices and seven (four per cent) occurred at private addresses. The 41 deaths in care homes and hospices involved 23 separate establishments.
Nisra’s weekly provisional death statistics, which are based on death registration information collected by the general register office in Northern Ireland, count all deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned by a doctor on the death certificate, whether or not it was the primary underlying cause of death.
Nisra also reported that for the previous five years the average number of deaths in Northern Ireland in week 14 – in this case the week ending April 10th - was 295, but that the number of deaths in that week this year was 435.
This means that the number of deaths this year is more than 50 per cent above the average number of deaths in Northern Ireland for the previous five years. This, according to Nisra, is also the trend for Britain.
Later on Friday afternoon the North’s Public Health Agency reported that 18 more people have died from coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
This brings the number of Covid-19 related deaths, according to the PHA list, to 176. That figures does not include the additional suspected 39 Covid-19 deaths reported by Nisra in its weekly bulletin.
The PHA also reported 137 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, leaving the total number of cases now at 2,338. So far 15,025 people have been tested for the virus in Northern Ireland.
Referring to the additional Nisra-reported deaths, Irish Congress of Trade Unions assistant general secretary Owen Reidy said there was great concern “that our vulnerable older people, and our members providing them care in the community, are at increasing risk as the pandemic spreads.
“The Executive must as a matter of priority engage with us on a strategy to both halt the spread of Covid-19 within the community and to protect workers on the frontline,” he said.
“We need to make clear as part of wider society that there are no expendable people, that older people in care homes or in need of domestic support are valued by us all as much as they are loved by their families,” added Mr Reidy.
Meanwhile, despite the coronavirus restrictions and a 60 per cent reduction in traffic, the PSNI said it arrested 103 people for drink or drug driving offences over the last fortnight.
“At a time when we are all working together to try and minimise unnecessary pressure on our NHS and emergency service colleagues, it is particularly disappointing that so many people have decided to put lives at risk by driving after drinking or taking drugs,” said Inspector Rosie Leech said.


theirishtimes--2020-04-17--Man (34) charged after spitting at gardaí in Cork

A 34-year-old man has been remanded in custody after gardaí alleged they had to put a face mask on him to stop him spitting at them as he told them he hoped they got Coronavirus .
Richard Horgan with an address at Radharc na Fuinseoga , Mallow , Co Cork was brought before Midleton District Court sitting in Mallow on Friday where he was charged with two separate public order offences arising out of the incident .
Mr Horgan was charged with assaulting Garda Benjamin McNamara in the course of executing his duty at Radharc Na Fuinseoga , Mallow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice ( Public Order ) Act 1994 .
He was also charged with unlawfully obstructing Garda McNamara and Garda Conor O ’ Halloran in the course of executing their duty .
Insp Tony Sullivan said gardaí were objecting to bail .
The incident arose after gardaí were called to attend at Mr Horgan ’ s home in Mallow at 8am on Thursday .
Garda McNamara said Mr Horgan was intoxicated when they arrived at the house and became aggressive when gardaí tried to arrest him .
He said Mr Horgan spat at himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at them “ I hope ye all get Corona ” .
Gardaí had to put a mask on him to stop him spitting at them , Garda McNamara said .
He believed that due to Mr Horgan ’ s behaviour , there was a risk of him spreading the Covid -19 virus as he showed little regard for gardaí or others in the house by his actions in the course of his arrest .
Questioned by Mr Horgan ’ s solicitor , Cathal Lombard , in support of his client ’ s bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horgan never alleged to gardaí that he had the virus when expressing the hope they would catch it .
Garda McNamara said there was a strongly likelihood of the DPP directing further charges against Mr Horgan , specifically in relation to new legislation introduced to deal with Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown .
Mr Horgan took the witness box and denied he had assaulted gardaí or that he spat at them .
“ That ’ s a lie - there is no way I spat at the guards , my mother brought me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Cross-examined by Insp Sulllivan , Mr Horgan agreed that he may have mentioned coronavirus before conceding that he had no memory of spitting at the four gardaí or saying he wished that they got Coronavirus .
He said he used to be addicted to drugs but was now addicted only to alcohol and had been off drink for the past six months but was unable to attend AA meetings because of Covid-19 and had relapsed on the occasion in question .
He said he was willing to abide by any bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garda Station and abstaining from alcohol and seeking whatever treatment was currently available for his addiction .
Judge Patricia Harney said that it appeared to her that Mr Horgan was still under the influence of alcohol as his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet when entering the witness box .
She said she had concerns that he would not be able to abstain from alcohol and given the country was in the middle of a Covid-19 pandemic , she said she was refusing bail and remanded him in custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A 34-year-old man has been remanded in custody after gardaí alleged they had to put a face mask on him to stop him spitting at them. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
A 34-year-old man has been remanded in custody after gardaí alleged they had to put a face mask on him to stop him spitting at them as he told them he hoped they got Coronavirus.
Richard Horgan with an address at Radharc na Fuinseoga, Mallow, Co Cork was brought before Midleton District Court sitting in Mallow on Friday where he was charged with two separate public order offences arising out of the incident.
Mr Horgan was charged with assaulting Garda Benjamin McNamara in the course of executing his duty at Radharc Na Fuinseoga, Mallow, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
He was also charged with unlawfully obstructing Garda McNamara and Garda Conor O’Halloran in the course of executing their duty.
READ MORE
Insp Tony Sullivan said gardaí were objecting to bail.
The incident arose after gardaí were called to attend at Mr Horgan’s home in Mallow at 8am on Thursday.
Garda McNamara said Mr Horgan was intoxicated when they arrived at the house and became aggressive when gardaí tried to arrest him.
He said Mr Horgan spat at himself and three other gardaí and then shouted at them “I hope ye all get Corona”.
Gardaí had to put a mask on him to stop him spitting at them, Garda McNamara said.
He believed that due to Mr Horgan’s behaviour, there was a risk of him spreading the Covid -19 virus as he showed little regard for gardaí or others in the house by his actions in the course of his arrest.
Questioned by Mr Horgan's solicitor, Cathal Lombard, in support of his client's bail application, Garda McNamara agreed that Mr Horgan never alleged to gardaí that he had the virus when expressing the hope they would catch it.
Garda McNamara said there was a strongly likelihood of the DPP directing further charges against Mr Horgan, specifically in relation to new legislation introduced to deal with Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown.
Mr Horgan took the witness box and denied he had assaulted gardaí or that he spat at them.
“That’s a lie - there is no way I spat at the guards, my mother brought me up better than that,” he said.
Cross-examined by Insp Sulllivan, Mr Horgan agreed that he may have mentioned coronavirus before conceding that he had no memory of spitting at the four gardaí or saying he wished that they got Coronavirus.
He said he used to be addicted to drugs but was now addicted only to alcohol and had been off drink for the past six months but was unable to attend AA meetings because of Covid-19 and had relapsed on the occasion in question.
He said he was willing to abide by any bail conditions including signing on daily at Mallow Garda Station and abstaining from alcohol and seeking whatever treatment was currently available for his addiction.
Judge Patricia Harney said that it appeared to her that Mr Horgan was still under the influence of alcohol as his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet when entering the witness box.
She said she had concerns that he would not be able to abstain from alcohol and given the country was in the middle of a Covid-19 pandemic, she said she was refusing bail and remanded him in custody to appear again on April 22nd.