LAST UPDATE | 20 Apr 2020

A FURTHER 401 new cases of Covid-19, and 77 new deaths – the highest number of deaths reported in a single day – have been reported by the Department of Health this evening. 

It brings the total number of cases to 15,652 in Ireland. The total number of deaths now sits at 687.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris have expressed concerns that “some complacency” is becoming apparent in the response of Irish people to the Covid-19 crisis.

In a video message on Twitter last night, Harris urged people not to relax their interpretation of the phrase ‘stay at home’ and to abide by the 2km rule when exercising, warning that not doing so could be “disastrous” for the country.

Internationally, Germany has begun easing some restrictions amid claims that the outbreak there is under control, while New York – the epicentre of the virus – is now believed to have passed the peak of infections. 

Here are today’s main Covid-19 points: 

• Health officials have confirmed a further 77 people who contracted Covid-19 have died in Ireland. 
• Minister for Health Simon Harris has warned that ”some complacency” may be setting in among the Irish public regarding attempts to fight the spread of the coronavirus. The Taoiseach has also said he shares these concerns.
• Campaigners have warned that domestic abuse charities remain seriously underfunded despite a government campaign urging victims to reach out for help.
• The government has announced that more than one million people are now receiving some sort of State income support, with half of those in receipt of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment.
• Researchers have warned that epidemic waves of Covid-19 are likely in Ireland after this current cycle ends and that a targeted testing regime will be vital after restrictions are relaxed.
• Leo Varadkar has suggested that Irish citizens or those resident in Ireland might be tasked with picking fruit and vegetables.
• The Banking and Payments Federation Ireland has said that banks will be able to extend the period for which its customers have secured mortgage approval during the current outbreak.
• Reports have emerged of an outbreak of coronavirus in a Direct Provision centre in Caherciveen, Co Kerry.
• Trade union Siptu has criticised retail company Debenhams, which went into administration this month, claiming that not enough notice or information was given to its staff members. 
• Retails giant Primark, which trades as Penneys in Ireland, has agreed to pay more than €400 million to suppliers for orders placed up until 17 April, having originally only agreed to pay for orders due to be shipped by 18 March. 
• The Dublin Horse Show, due to take place at the RDS over four days in July, has been cancelled. 
• The Government has announced that all Irish colleges in Gaeltacht areas are to remain closed for the summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
• Driver licences and learner permit due to expire between now and 30 June have been extended by four months. All NCT discs with a renewal date on or after 28 March have also been extended. 

Here are today’s international Covid-19 points:

• 450 more people have died from coronavirus in England, Scotland and Wales.
• The UK’s chief scientific adviser has warned that vaccines for Covid-19 are “long shots” and said that people should not rely on the swift development of them to resolve the crisis.
• New York governor Andrew Cuomo has claimed that the US state is “past the high point” of coronavirus infections.
• Small shops and some schools in parts of Germany will begin to re-open today following a month of closures, with a view in the country that the outbreak there is now under control.
• New international research suggests that far more people have had the coronavirus than official tallies suggest, with most not appearing to have any symptoms.
• Organisations in the UK have rounded on the government over its promise of more personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect workers, saying there is “relatively low confidence” that some supplies will be delivered in coming weeks.
• The US benchmark for the price of crude oil has collapsed, falling to one cent a barrel amid an epic supply deficit caused largely by the coronavirus pandemic affecting demand.