HSE says spending on PPE equipment to reach €1bn this year
The HSE has said the number of patients in Ireland’s Intensive Care Units has dropped by 55% since the height of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking at the weekly briefing on Sunday, HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said there were 72 patients in intensive care last night – down from a peak of 160.
There are currently 161 ICU free ICU beds in the health service and 1,242 general acute beds.
Doctor says lack of effective contact tracing could prevent lockdown easing
A Monaghan-based GP who recently recovered from COVID-19 has warned that the lack of effective contact tracing could affect the easing of the lockdown.
Dr Illona Duffy is back at her practice after being diagnosed with the virus last month.
On Newstalk Breakfast, she warned that there are many questions about the behaviour of the virus in Ireland that can only be answered through proper contact tracing.
Doors are closed as Students from Belvedere College secondary school in Dublin sit their Leaving Cert, 07-06-2006. Image: Leon Farrell/RollingNewsASTI agrees to accept Leaving Cert 'calculate grades' plan
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland has given its backing to the calculated grades system replacing this year’s Leaving Cert.
After lengthy talks last night, the union said it still has a number of major concerns with the process but is advising its members to engage with it so students can get on with their lives.
The Education Minister Joe McHugh announced the cancellation of the summer exam on Friday, confirming that schools asked to estimate each student’s grades instead.
HSA to enforce new Return to Work Protocols for reopening businesses
The Government has published a new protocol to allow businesses around the country to safely return to work.
Under the new National Return to Work Safely Protocol, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will be tasked with carrying out inspections and ensuring businesses are complying with the rules.
Each workplace will nominate a member of staff to ensure the protocols are being properly followed.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at a delivery ceremony for Tesla China-made Model 3 in Shanghai, 07-01-2020. Image: Xinhua/Ding TingMusk threatens to pull Tesla from California amid lockdown dispute
Tesla chief Elon Musk has threatened to pull the company's headquarters out of California after local officials refused it permission to reopen.
California has started easing restrictions; however, Governor Gavin Newsom gave Bay Area countries permission to keep them in place while other parts of the state reopen.
The Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) said on Friday that it had refused Tesla permission to reopen its electric vehicle plant.
