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Death Toll From Covid-19 Pandemic Reaches 36 In Ireland

It is once again, with sadness, that we learned of fourteen persons having died from the Covid-19 pandemic here in the Republic of Ireland. This news comes on a day when 294 new cases have also been diagnosed.

There are now 2,415 confirmed cases of Covid-19 here in the Republic and all 14 of the deaths announced today were located in the east of the country, bringing the overall related death toll to 36, in our Republic.

In Northern Ireland, the death toll has now reached 15, with two further deaths reported today, while 49 new positive cases of Covid-19 were also identified; bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 324.

Cocooning for all those over 70 years of age together with certain categories of people who are considered vulnerable to Covid-19, is also being introduced.

The Minister for Health Mr Simon Harris has stated earlier that the current measures introduced by the Government were as tough as it can possibly get, but was introduced to save lives.

Mr Harris also announced that the HSE had hired an additional 260 nurses and 63 doctors, and would continue to process further suitable applications. He went on to also announce that the first consignment of personal protective equipment from China would be due into Dublin Airport tomorrow afternoon, and the HSE would begin distributing same, where applicable, tomorrow evening.

Retail Outlets Deemed Essential During Covid-19 Lock Down

A mandatory government decision for Irish people to remain at home for a two-week period, until Easter Sunday April 12th, apart from named exceptions, is now currently in effect across our Republic.

The list of retail outlets which are deemed essential to remain open under the new Covid-19 restrictions are listed hereunder.


These include Food & Beverage stores, Newsagents, premises selling Household Products, Pharmacies, Medical Supply outlets, Fuel Stations, Animal Feed outlets, Pet Stores, Laundries, Banks, Credit Unions, Post Offices, Safety Supply stores and Off-licences; all of the latter now deemed essential.

Opticians, Motor Repair and Bicycle Repair outlets will no longer be able to open their doors and will instead only be permitted to offer an emergency call-out or delivery service; while Electrical, Hardware, Farm equipment, Agricultural supplies, and Gardening outlets, are to have their opening times restricted to call-out or delivery only.

All above named essential retailers remaining open from today, must ensure organised adequate distancing between customers and staff, while ‘queue control’ must be fully implemented.

All private and public gatherings are now banned, however, people can leave their homes for brief physical exercise, but can only travel within 2km (1.24 miles) from their home.

Covid-19 Numbers Rise To 2,121 Confirmed Cases In Irish Republic

Sadly, three more people have died from Covid-19 here in the Republic of Ireland; with the figures confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Two of the deceased were in the east of the country, with the third person residing in the north-west. This now brings to 22 the number of coronavirus-related deaths here in Ireland.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has also been informed of a further 302 new confirmed cases of Covid-19; bringing to 2,121 the number of confirmed cases in Ireland.

The latest data as of midnight, Wednesday March 25th , shows that 54% of cases are male and 46% are female, with 79 clusters latter involving 317 cases. Over 419 cases (or 26%) have been hospitalised and of those, 59 cases have been admitted to Intensive Care Units. To date, 375 cases (or 23%) are associated with those working in healthcare.

The total number of infections in the North of Ireland also rose by 34, bringing their total there to 275.

Further restrictions have been introduced from midnight tonight, March 27th, for a two-week period until Easter Sunday, April 12th. 
Everybody in Ireland has been told to stay at home for two weeks, except essential workers travelling to work and other exceptions.
Exemptions include
To shop for food or household goods or collect a meal. 

To Daffodils – Robert Herrick

Today, Friday, 27th March 2020, should have beenDaffodil Day.

Normally, today would have been a day when communities all over Tipperary and indeed Ireland, congregated to support people and families affected by the scourge of cancer.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic now raging across Ireland, it has become necessary to cancel such gatherings to protect lives. So, for those who can, why not connect with the link shown HERE and donate to help fund the Irish Cancer Society’s vital services and research.

“To Daffodils”
By 17th-century English Lyric Poet and Cleric, Robert Herrick

Fair Daffodils, we weep to see
You haste away so soon;
As yet the early-rising sun
Has not attain’d his noon.
Stay, stay,
Until the hasting day
Has run
But to the even-song;
And, having pray’d together, we
Will go with you along.

We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a spring;
As quick a growth to meet decay,
As you, or anything.
We die
As your hours do, and dry
Away,
Like to the summer’s rain;
Or as the pearls of morning’s dew,
Ne’er to be found again
.
END

Five Great Free Websites To Keep Kids Entertained & Learning At Home.

With school closures extended until April 19th, keeping your kids learning and entertained at home is part of everyone’s new reality. Here are another five great websites that offer free access to pupils and parents and are highly recommended by educators.

(1) www.Storylineonline.netSuitable for all ages.

The above site is the SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) foundation’s award-winning children’s literacy website. Simply log-on to storylineonline’s website, YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline) or download their app to enable your child to listen to their favourite actors read aloud some of the world’s best picture books. There’s even an activity guide linked to each book, so plenty of follow up ideas too.

(2) https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/Suitable for Junior Infants to 2nd Class.

For younger children, ‘Teach Your Monster to Read’ is another award winning website that supports children’s literacy learning and phonics. Their website is free to use and for a limited time their app (which usually costs €5.49) is available for free.

(3) www.readtheory.orgSuitable from 2nd class – Secondary.

It’s hard to believe that this website is free to join, but it is and has almost 14 million users worldwide. This site enables your child to improve their comprehension by reading passages online and answering a series of multiple choice questions. When your child first joins, they do a quick pre-test in order to identify reading ability before assigning reading passages suited to your child’s reading stage.

(4) www.khanacademy.orgSuitable for all ages.

Khanacademy offers free access to lessons and courses primarily in mathematics and science. Pupils can work at their own pace and personalise their learning journey. A great substitute for an actual maths teacher.

(5) Fundamental Movement SkillsSuitable for all ages.

Fundamental movement skills are the skills which support children’s co-ordination and movement. If children are experienced with these fundamental movement skills, they can play any number of sports with greater confidence. The fundamental movement skills include walking, running, hopping, skipping, jumping, dodging, side stepping, landing, balancing, catching, throwing, and striking.

Now more than ever it is important to balance screen time with exercise, so why not enable your child to strengthen their fundamental movement skills by concentrating on a different one each day.

Do visit https://www.scoilnet.ie/pdst/physlit/videos/ for videos and guidance based on the Irish curriculum’s programme; ‘Move Well, Move Often’.