Health Minister Says Volunteer Programme Will Be Needed To Help Tackle Covid -19 Pandemic

Health Minister Simon Harris says there will be a call to action for volunteers to help out across the country this week.

Forty new cases of covid-19 were confirmed yesterday in the Republic.
It was the biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases for the second day in a row.
A total of 169 people have now tested positive in the south.

Some GPs will be cancelling their normal surgeries today, with many of them expecting a surge in calls over coronavirus.
From today, a new online system will allow doctors to order covid-19 tests for patients who have symptoms.

Meanwhile the Department of Social Protection is asking employers to pay employees - who aren't able to work due to the Covid-19 outbreak - at least the rate of jobseekers' allowance.

A refund scheme will be put in place to reimburse businesses – but Minister Regina Doherty has said that may take some time to be processed.
The rate for jobseekers is 203 euro a week.