LAST UPDATE | 13 Jun 2020

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE confirmed that a further five patients have died as a result of Covid-19 in Ireland.

The Department of Health also said that 46 new cases of the disease have been confirmed here, although 22 of these cases were confirmed after samples were taken early this week and would normally have been reported on Thursday and Friday.

A total of 1,705 people have now died from Covid-19 in Ireland and there has been a total of 25,295 cases here.

Internationally, Brazil has recorded 41,828 deaths – surpassing the UK’s death toll. In China, a new cluster has been identified. 

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points:

• Five more deaths and 46 new cases Of Covid-19 were confirmed by health officials this evening.
• Two more coronavirus-linked deaths and three cases of the virus were reported in the North today.
• Primary school pupils will attend school for one day per week and secondary school pupils for two days per week if the two metres social distancing rule remains in place in September, Education Minister Joe McHugh has said.
• Here is an oral history of the 24 hours that changed everything – 12 March 2020. 
• People who live alone will be reunited with their families today after three months of the coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland. They will be able to meet with one other household – forming a so-called “support bubble” – to combat loneliness caused by the restrictions.
• There was a significant drop in GP clinic referrals for breast, prostate, lung and skin cancer in the last three months.
• The vast majority of healthcare workers with Covid-19 contracted the virus while at work, according to new figures. 
• HSE officials have said a “very significant redesign” of the health service will be needed for the next 18 months and beyond as the country lives with a continuing threat of a resurgence of Covid-19.
• The Cabinet has signed off on proposals for a special summer programme for students who attend disadvantaged schools.

Here are today’s international Covid-19 main points:

• Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands have signed an agreement with pharmaceutical group AstraZeneca to guarantee the supply to the EU of 300 million doses of a possible coronavirus vaccine.
• Brazil has recorded 41,828 deaths – surpassing the UK’s death toll and now second in terms of deaths behind the US.
• Russia has doubled its official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712, after changing how it classifies fatalities.
• Chile’s health minister resigned as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit the country, where more than 3,000 people have died despite quarantines.
• Dozens of new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Beijing and parts of the city were locked down today after the emergence of a new cluster linked to a wholesale food market.
• The UK government is expected to backtrack on its plan to introduce full border checks with the EU from 1 January over fears of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.