The latest on COVID19 today

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Thursday, March 4th, 2021 6:59pm

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The latest developments on the fight against COVID19 as the virus continues to disrupt everyday life.

• The Construction Industry Federation of Ireland say they're very concerned that construction workers are currently continuing to work in domestic settings behind closed doors. 

  Under Level 5 restrictions construction is only permitted for a number of key national projects.

• It's unrealistic to expect the EU to have a Europe wide digital vaccine passport to facilitate travel this summer, according to the CEO of Ryanair.

  Earlier this week European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said proposals are being worked on for a pass that would show if a traveller had been vaccinated against COVID.

• Vaccination of people with underlying conditions will start next week, according to the Health Minister. 

  However, Stephen Donnelly has said he has concerns about the capacity of AstraZeneca to meet delivery targets. 

  The HSE missed last week's target of 100,000 vaccinations with the Tánaiste saying an under-delivery from AstraZeneca was to blame. 

• Facemasks are NOT being advised for primary school children, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.  

  Its covid expert advisory group says there should be no change to the minimum age of 13, for wearing face coverings.  

• 462 new COVID19 cases have been confirmed - 29 of those are here in Cork. 

  Meanwhile 39 additional COVID19 related deaths have also been confirmed. 
  
  NPHET says the R number has at least remained stable and may even have decreased slightly.

More from Coronavirus

• People in their 60s will be able to register for a Covid-19 vaccine from today

  A new portal goes live from 10am, with appointments bookable both online and by phone.

• People arriving from US, Canada and France have to stay in a quarantine hotel for up to 2 weeks

  They're among 16 countries that were added to the list this morning.

• COVID19 Evening update

  The latest headlines on COVID19

• Vaccine portal to register for appointments will open at 10am tomorrow morning

  The HSE is asking people aged 69 to register tomorrow followed by the rest of the 65-68 year olds over the following days. 

• COVID19 UPDATE: 12 New Deaths, 431 New Cases - 17 here in Cork

  The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 12 additional deaths related to COVID-19.

• Ireland will receive more than half a million extra doses of the Pfizer Covid vaccine this quarter

  Audio

  It's after the company agreed to supply the EU with an additional 50 million doses starting in April.

• Health Minister faces criticism for mandatory hotel quarantine system

  The Health Minister is being accused of mismanaging the country's mandatory hotel quarantine system.

• Cabinet Ministers will discuss the latest setbacks for vaccination programme this morning

  Taoiseach is to be briefed by the HSE and the vaccines taskforce as work continues on redrawing the roll-out plan.

• New study shows no evidence of significant increase in risk of suicide in first months of the pandemic

  However continued monitoring is needed according to the authors of the study.

• Hundreds have descended on beachside towns over the past 24 hours as the 5km travel restriction eased

  For many it was their first time at the seaside in almost four months and essential retailers in Youghal and other coastal locations say they have noticed the increase in trade.

• Pregnant woman urged to notify their treatment hospital if they test positive for Covid19

  It comes amid concerns of a rare coronavirus linked infection of the placenta, which is believed to be linked to the B-1-1-7 variant.

• Covid-19 Evening Update

  Here's a reminder of today's Covid headlines