LAST UPDATE | 19 Apr 2020

A FURTHER 39 people who contracted Covid-19 have died in Ireland, health officials have confirmed.

The Department of Health also confirmed this evening that 445 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded here, and 48 more cases from a testing backlog were confirmed by a lab in Germany.

The testing backlog has now been cleared, the HSE confirmed today. 

The total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland stands at 15,251 and there have been 610 deaths overall.

Internationally, the death toll has surpassed 16,000 in the UK, and US President Donald Trump has warned that China could face consequences if it is “knowingly responsible” for the coronavirus pandemic.

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points:

• A further 39 deaths and 445 new cases have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, plus 48 positive cases from the March backlog.
• Ireland’s testing backlog has now been cleared, HSE CEO Paul Reid has said. 
• Reid also said the acquisition of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers remains “challenging” due to the global demand. The HSE has asked Chinese suppliers to consolidate deliveries into one large order worth €130 million. That delivery will include 7.5 million gloves, 2.5 million face shields, six million respirator masks, 10 million surgical masks and three million gloves.
• The HSE has said it is “a matter of regret” that a memo describing patients at a Dublin nursing home as “dirty” was issued without any formal approval.
• The Home Care Coalition, a group of 23 charities, has urged the Department of Health and the HSE to take immediate action to support people experiencing a stoppage in their home-care provision as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, and to provide sufficient levels of PPE and other supports to home-care workers and family carers.
• Oaklodge Nursing Home in Cloyne in Co Cork has become the first nursing home in Ireland to pilot remote temperature-checking software that can detect early Covid-19 warning symptoms in staff.
• The CSO has launched a survey to measure how the crisis has affected businesses. The survey is being sent to a sample of 3,000 businesses and the information is being collected between 20 and 24 April.
• Goal said it has reached more than nine million vulnerable people in 13 countries with its Covid-19 awareness campaign over the last month. 
• GAA broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh has launched an initiative by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists encouraging people who are cocooning to exercise if they can. 
• In our latest ‘Debunked’ article, we look at whether or not 2020 is a ‘normal’ year for deaths from respiratory illnesses.

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

• US President Donald Trump has warned that China could face consequences if it is “knowingly responsible” for the coronavirus pandemic.
• Ministers in the UK have poured cold water on reports the government has drawn-up a plan to start easing the lockdown restrictions within weeks amid criticism of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
• As of 9am today, 120,067 people have tested positive for the virus in the UK. As of 5pm yesterday, of those hospitalised, 16,060 have died (including 194 in Northern Ireland).
• A delivery of 84 tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in the UK has been delayed. The shipment, which includes 400,000 surgical gowns, was due to arrive from Turkey this afternoon. The reason for the delay is not yet known.
• Italy has reported another 433 deaths from Covid-19, meaning the death toll there is now 23,660.
• Spain’s daily death toll dropped with the number of new fatalities falling to 410 from 565.
• The Netherlands has reported its lowest daily death rate (83 people) in over three weeks.
• US governors are moving to ease restrictions meant to control the spread of the coronavirus, even as new hot spots emerge and experts warn that moving too fast could prove disastrous. 
• A probe has been launched after “gross negligence” at a Montreal nursing home – residents were left soiled and unfed after their caregivers fled the premises following a number of deaths.  
• The star-studded One World virtual concert has raised €118 million for the global Covid-19 response.