LAST UPDATE | 23 Jun 2020

A FURTHER THREE people have died as a result of Covid-19 and ten new cases have been identified, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. 

Meanwhile, Health officials in Ireland are worried that younger people are no longer heeding the public health advice as closely as they had been.

Speaking at a press conference last night, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said one-third of recent Covid-19 cases were diagnosed in people under the age of 35.

These included 25 in the 15 to 24 age category and 35 in the 25 to 34 category.

He warned that if a resurgence of the virus came, it would be due to people not following the public health guidance. 

“And if there’s to be a resurgence in the disease across the whole society it would be if we have a high level of non-compliance like we’ve talked about before – anticipatory behaviour where people start going back to the way things used to be and behaving the way they used to behave,” he said.

“That’s exactly the kind of thing that will lead to an increase in transmission of infection.”

Globally, a grim milestone was passed yesterday as the number of global cases topped 9 million as the WHO warned that the pandemic is still “accelerating”. 

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points:

• Three more people have died from the virus in Ireland and a further 10 more people have been diagnosed, according to latest figures. 
• Over one-third of recent Covid-19 cases have been in people under 35 and health officials have warned younger people who contract the virus “may represent a risk to your loved ones”. 
• A report to the government has recommended lifting quarantine and air travel restrictions by 1 July. 
• The Finance Minister has confirmed a change to the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme to accommodate the salaries of apprentices who were on off-the-job training.
• NPHET is unlikely to budge on the 50-person limit for Mass and other indoor gatherings. 
• Childcare providers told the Oireachtas Covid-19 committee today that the uncertainty in their sector is having a “profoundly stressful impact”. 
• A majority of nurses and midwives in Ireland are using up their annual leave to care for their children according to a survey conducted by the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation (INMO).
• Sinn Féin has called for members of the public to be given a €200 voucher to spend in a bid to boost and support tourism.
• Almost €600 million was spent on contactless payments in May, and this is being seen as a strong recovery in spending following the contraction due to Covid-19 in March and April. 
• Ibec has warned that a significant number of businesses will fail by the end of the year unless there is a “dramatic intervention” by government. 
• CityJet’s Dublin pilots are to protest at the airline’s Irish HQ, amid fears of job losses at the airline which has called for a Covid-19 bailout. 

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

• The UK government is to set out plans to allow pubs, restaurants, museums and cinemas re-open from 4 July. 
• Global coronavirus infections have topped nine million. As Europe is opening up, Latin America and South Asia are feeling the full brunt of the pandemic. 
• The WHO’s Dr Michael Ryan has said the record numbers of new cases can’t be explained by increased testing alone. 
• Men appear to produce higher levels of Covid-19 antibodies than women, new figures in the UK suggest. 
• The number of deaths in the US has risen above 120,000.
• South Korea reported 46 new cases today as authorities there say they’re beginning to battle a second wave.
• Saudi Arabia has said it will hold a “very limited” hajj this year, with pilgrims from outside the country barred from performing the annual ritual for the first time in its modern history. 

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