*Photograph: John Mangan

Five more deaths and 19 extra cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the Republic of Ireland while in Co Clare there has been no new case in a full week.

Co Clare has now gone a full week without a single additional case of COVID-19. It is the first time since mid-March that no new case has been recorded in a seven day period for the county. To date, 368 people have been classed as confirmed cases in the county, many of whom have since recovered.

A further five deaths have been confirmed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The death toll in the country is now 1,695 following the de-notification of one death.

In what was over double the amount of additional cases announced yesterday, the HPSC revealed that 19 more individuals had tested positive for the virus. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there have been 25,234 confirmed cases with three de-notified since yesterday.

Director of the National Virus Reference Lab, Dr Cillian De Gascun, has reiterated that face coverings should be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Reports from across Co Clare are that only a minority of people have applied this advice.

Plans are underway to have the country “almost fully open” by mid-July, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (FG) stated on Wednesday. As part of this, the reopening of hairdressers and beauty salons is tipped to be brought forward from the previously scheduled July 20th.

Ireland’s recovery rate is now at 92%, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn confirmed on Wednesday evening. “While it is very welcome that the vast majority of people who contracted COVID-19 have recovered from the acute phase of their illness, there are many who continue to experience longer term effects including fatigue and decreased exercise capacity”.

A meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is to take place on Thursday morning.

Related News

SNNGroup_Frankfurt_2026-2
Shannon's inaugural flight to Frankfurt takes off this weekend
dinny gould 2
Dinny calls for Garda who allegedly pepper sprayed boy (14) to be 'reprimanded'
anthony whelan 1
Top European Commission role for Scariff's Anthony Whelan
shane kilcommins 1-2
Prof Kilcommins appointed UL President
Latest News
SNNGroup_Frankfurt_2026-2
Shannon's inaugural flight to Frankfurt takes off this weekend
clare v tipperary 19-04-25 cillian rouine 1
Rouine bringing the Ciller edge to new role as Clare captain
ballyea v clonlara 06-09-25 cathal tots o'connell jack browne darragh dillon 1
Sparks flying following club draws
dinny gould 2
Dinny calls for Garda who allegedly pepper sprayed boy (14) to be 'reprimanded'
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 paul rodgers 2
Rodgers, Ball & Boyce start as Clare U20s make three changes
Premium
Rouine bringing the Ciller edge to new role as Clare captain
Dinny calls for Garda who allegedly pepper sprayed boy (14) to be 'reprimanded'
Top European Commission role for Scariff's Anthony Whelan
Three years 'a very short sentence' for grave Kilrush knife attack says judge
Rynne sets the way in second ever championship start for Clare hurlers

Annual Subscription Offer NOW ON!

The Clare Echo has launched a discounted annual subscription for just €39.99 a year. 

Prefer to pay monthly? Click the monthly option and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. 

Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.