Plan agreed to increase COVID-19 testing capacity to 100,000 per week, HSE says
A plan has been agreed between the Department of Health and the HSE to scale-up coronavirus testing capacity here to the goal of 100,000 tests per week, according to HSE CEO Paul Reid.
He has also warned that it's now 'very clear' that COVID-19 will impact the Irish health system for longer than previously expected, and will ‘most likely’ continue into 2021.
Paul Reid says a ‘very different’ approach will now be needed in the system over the coming years - noting that aspects of the Sláintecare reform plan may need to be ‘challenged’ or re-evaluated due to the new situation.
Dentists 'begging for State support' during COVID-19 crisis, dental association says
The Irish Dental Association (IDA) is accusing the government of ignoring the 'effective collapse of the profession' due to COVID-19.
The association - which represents around 2,000 private and public dentists here - claims recent representations it has made to the Ministers for Health and Finance about the crisis facing the profession haven't been answered.
According to the IDA, dentists' incomes are down by an average of over 90% as routine dentist appointments can't take place at the moment.
Woodie's was 'overwhelmed' with orders after reopening online store, CEO says
The CEO of Woodie's says they were "overwhelmed" with orders when they reopened their online delivery service during the coronavirus crisis.
Like many businesses around the country, Woodie's stores remain closed due to the strict restrictions in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Declan Ronayne, CEO of Woodies, spoke to Down to Business about what he described as a 'unique month' - saying they're hoping they will be able to reopen on May 5th.
Numbers in ICU down from peak but 'we cannot let our foot off the gas' - Dr Catherine Motherway
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care in the Republic is down from its peak - but there’s a warning that Ireland could still have a “really big problem” if people become complacent about the current restrictions.
As of Thursday night, 344 people had been admitted to intensive care units here with the virus - with figures released earlier this week showed more than 120 of those patients have since been discharged.
TikTok campaign on sexual consent has received 'millions of views so far', DRCC says
A campaign about sexual consent on the social media platform TikTok has already seen millions of views, according to the head of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
DRCC recently launched the #100Consent campaign with 22 of Ireland's most popular and influential TikTokkers.
Noeline Blackwell spoke to Alive and Kicking about the campaign and it's success to date.
