Ten more coronavirus deaths as over 250 new cases confirmed

Ten more people died from the coronavirus in Ireland on Thursday.

The patients are three women and seven men - nine patients are in the east of the country and one is in the south.

The median age of the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who have died is 79 years - 68% are men and 32% are women.

Dáil halts work to applaud Ireland's healthcare workers

The Dáil has stopped work briefly to applaud all the country's healthcare workers.

A reduced number of TDs are sitting in the Dáil chamber to debate and approve a range of emergency measures in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

There were similar scenes around the country.

Gardaí to be equipped with 'spit hoods' during coronavirus crisis

Gardaí are to be equipped with 'spit hoods' during the coronavirus crisis, the force has confirmed.

It comes amid concerns about some officers and members of the public being deliberately coughed or spat at.

The fabric and mesh 'spit hoods' are designed to be placed over a suspect's head to prevent them from spitting at others.

New test can give COVID-19 result in two hours

A new rapid test has been developed in Germany, which can diagnose the coronavirus in two and a half hours.

Technology company Bosch is helping medical facilities such as doctors’ offices, hospitals, laboratories and health centres with its new COVID-19 rapid test.

The test can diagnose 10 respiratory pathogens simultaneously for different diagnosis, and meets the requirements of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dublin Pride organisers move event to September

The organisers of the Dublin LGBTQ Pride festival are moving the event to September due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It usually takes place in June with the parade - the biggest in Ireland after St Patrick's Day - closing out the festivities.

Dates had been announced for June 18th to the 28th.