Coronavirus death toll in Ireland tops 1,700

Another eight people died from COVID-19 in Ireland on Thursday, bringing the death toll in the country to a total of 1,703, said the Irish Department of Health, reported Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed cases rose by eight to 25,238, said the department in a statement.

Currently, 86 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals across the country, 28 of whom are in the intensive care units, it said.

"The reproductive number has remained stable, between 0.4-0.8 over a number of weeks," said Philip Nolan, Chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group.

The reproductive number refers to the average number of people infected by a coronavirus carrier.

According to the statement, the NPHET held a meeting on Thursday in which they recommended the government to launch a nationwide communications campaign to increase compliance with current recommendations on the use of face coverings.

The campaign will outline best practice for use of face coverings in retail outlets, on public transport and in other public locations, where it may be difficult to maintain social distancing, said the NPHET.

The NPHET is the top advisory body for the policies to be taken by the government in dealing with the pandemic in the country.

Ireland has further eased its COVID-19 restrictions as it embarked on the second phase of a roadmap to reopen its society and businesses starting from this Monday.

During this phase, all retail stores are allowed to resume their businesses and some of the public amenities such as public libraries, playgrounds and marts where livestock is traded are permitted to reopen. People are given more freedom in their movement, and the number of people in indoor and outdoor gatherings has been raised to six.