The Republic heads into the bank holiday weekend in a “really strong position” concerning Covid-19, HSE chief executive Paul Reid has said. The Health Service Executive said on Saturday the number of patients with coronavirus in hospital is now down to 74, with 29 of those in intensive care. A further 416 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported in the State on Saturday evening as authorities and officials urged the public to socialise safely over the weekend. “Notwithstanding some challenges, we head into the bank holiday weekend in a really strong position,” said Mr Reid. State chief medical officer Tony Holohan told a meeting of Limerick politicians and public health teams on Friday that a local lockdown is not envisaged at present.

Source: The Irish Times June 05, 2021 18:11 UTC