COVID-19: 43 further deaths in Ireland
There have been 43 further deaths related to the coronavirus in Ireland.
New figures also show that 629 new cases of the virus have been confirmed here, along with 95 back from a laboratory in Germany.
That means there have been 724 new COVID-19 cases identified on Thursday.
Private insurers to cut premiums during COVID-19 battle
Private insurance companies have announced plans to cut insurance during the COVID-19 outbreak.
It comes after the country’s private hospitals were re-purposed for use in the public sector to increase intensive care capacity during the outbreak.
That led some customers to complain that they were paying premiums to receive the same level of care as patients in the public system.
Varadkar: Only scientific breakthrough will see life return to normal
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says he does not know if coronavirus restrictions will be lifted on May 5th.
Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, he warned normal life will not fully return until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.
He also said it will likely be late this year before any Leaving Certificate students can start third-level education.
Parcel delivery firm DPD is to create 100 new jobs
Parcel delivery company DPD is to create 100 new jobs for drivers.
The firm says its volumes have massively increased due to COVID-19, with deliveries of electrical goods up 800%, pet food up 300% and sports equipment up 225%.
Chief executive Des Travers said deliveries are continuing to increase week-on-week, as more and more consumers turn to the internet to shop.
COVID-19 lockdown sees huge drop in air pollution across Europe
The coronavirus lockdown across Europe has seen air pollution drop by as much as 50% in some cities.
The latest monitor from the European Space Agency (ESA) shows a continued fall in nitrogen dioxide levels across March and April.
The biggest drop was recorded in Paris, where levels fell by 54% between March 13th and April 13th compared to the same period last year.
