LAST UPDATE | 12 Jun 2020

LAST NIGHT, HEALTH officials confirmed that a further eight patients have died as a result of Covid-19 in Ireland. 

The Department of Health also said that eight new cases of the disease have been confirmed here. 

A total of 1,703 people have died from the disease here. There are now 25,238 cases confirmed. 

In Northern Ireland, all shops will be allowed to re-open later today as restrictions continue to be eased. 

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points: 

• A further eight people have died from Covid-19 in Ireland, health officials confirmed last night.
• Ireland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has warned that many people are suffering from prolonged side effects from Covid-19.
• Health officials have said they will recommend an ad campaign to get people to wear face masks and to wear them correctly. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Penneys stores across the country have re-opened today. 
• All shops in Northern Ireland are allowed to re-open from today.
• The Cabinet is expected to sign off on proposals today for a special summer programme for students who attend disadvantaged schools.
• The government will consider at the end of next week whether hairdressers could re-open earlier than originally planned.
• The government has said that all cancer screening services will resume by the end of the month.
• There has been a call for the Oireachtas Covid-19 Committee to hold a special session to examine the effect the coronavirus has had on women in Ireland.
• New Street in Malahide is to become the first area in Fingal, Dublin, to see a new pedestrian zone introduced. It will be in the centre of the village. 

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

• 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 coronavirus.
• The UK economy contracted by more than a fifth in the first full month of lockdown, as shops and factories closed and workers were sent home.
• Donald Trump supporters who attend his upcoming election rally must sign a waiver promising not to sue if they catch Covid-19 at the event, according to his campaign website.
• Uber drivers and passengers must wear face coverings across the UK from Monday, the taxi company has announced. 
• Brazil has surpassed 40,000 deaths from Covid-19 and 800,000 cases, according to the latest figures from the health ministry. 
• Crowds of up to 10,000 people will be allowed into Australian sports stadiums from next month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said.
• The UN has warned that millions of children could be pushed into work by the coronavirus crisis, as it braced for the first rise in child labour in two decades.