Some of Ireland’s ‘darkest days’ ahead as death toll reaches 334

Another 14 people have died in Ireland bringing the death toll to 334, the National Public Health Emergency team has announced. A further 430 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday and there are now 9,655 confirmed cases of the virus in the Republic. Of the 14 deaths, 10 had underlying health conditions and had a median age of 80.

A total of 12 were in the East and two in the West. It comes after the Irish Government extended its lockdown for another three weeks until May 5. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he had acted on experts’ advice, adding that ‘nobody knows’ when life will go back to normal.