Critical Point...

Minister says testing backlog fixed next week But he warns not going back to normal in May

- Sylvia Pownall

Health Minister Simon Harris hopes to have the backlog in testing for Covid-19 cleared within a week as a further 1,035 people tested positive – the highest in any single day.

With the expected peak imminent, he revealed yesterday well over half of the 25,000 to 30,000 tests sent to Germany were back, with the remainder due in coming days.

There were 839 new cases – 553 tested in the country and 286 confirmed via tests in Germany – with the total now at 8,928 cases.

The number of Covid-19 cases was updated from 7,054 earlier yesterday to 8,089 after 14,000 samples were returned, 1,035 of them positive.

Of the 33 dead – 19 males and 14 females – 30 victims were in the east, with three in the west of the country.

The median age of yesterday’s reported deaths was 82, with 25 people reported as having underlying health conditions.

Mr Harris warned there would be no return to “normal” with a “blend of measures” in place beyond May 5.

The minister dismissed the idea of an immunity passport to allow people to return to work, warning Ireland is “at a delicate and critical point”.

His plea came as the National Public Health Emergency Team revealed the 33 deaths, bringing the total to 320.