Covid-19 cases on the increase in Ireland

The number of reported cases of Covid-19 in Ireland has begun to increase, the chief medical officer warned.

Some new clusters have been established.

The country had driven down the number of infections in recent weeks.

Dr Tony Holohan said: “We are starting to see a worrying trend, with the number of reported cases increasing, and some new clusters.”

There were no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on Monday.

There has now been 1,735 Covid-19 related deaths.

As of midnight Sunday June 28, public health chiefs have been notified of 24 confirmed cases, bringing the total to 25,462.

Dr Holohan said: “As restrictions are lifted and people move about more, it is important that we use the tools that have helped us suppress the virus to date.

“Hand washing, physical distancing, cough/sneeze hygiene and wearing face coverings are important personal behaviours that mean, as we go about our daily lives, that we are doing everything we can to avoid contracting the virus and spreading it to those we love.”

At least six new Covid-19 cases in Ireland were associated with international travel, health chiefs warned on Monday.

The chief medical officer has said he is deeply worried at the prospect of greater foreign travel associated with easing restrictions next month.

Irish ministers had been intending to put in place air bridges with countries with low coronavirus infection rates by July 9 allowing them to bypass quarantine in an effort to boost tourism.

Dr Holohan has expressed concern at the plan and said many of the most popular European holiday spots did not have low enough disease rates to encourage travel to there.

Dr Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical Officer, said: “Today we are reporting at least six cases associated with international travel.

“Many countries around the world are still experiencing high and increasing levels of this disease.

“Last week, there were over 1.1 million cases reported and there have now been over 10 million cases reported globally to date.

“The risk of imported cases remains high. It’s important that we continue to avoid all unnecessary travel at this time.”