Another sad record yesterday as 43 more people died of Covid-19, the highest number reported in a single day. The total now stands at 486. There were 724 additional cases, bringing the total in Ireland to 13,271.

On the plus side, the National Public Health Emergency Team thinks the number of new cases has plateaued and should soon start to fall. An optimistic (but not complacent) Prof Philip Nolan of NPHET's epidemiological modelling advisory group said there'd been a "marked change" in the growth rate of cumulative cases, and that the reproduction rate had been stable for two weeks. And the rate of increase in ICU admissions has slowed too.

The HSE is today expected to announce new measures to contain the spread of the virus in nursing homes and other long-stay settings. We published this yesterday.

Meanwhile, it's reported that the education department is considering a staggered return to the classroom after the summer, with exams running into September. And it looks like a long, cold summer for Gaeltacht colleges.

Elsewhere, the three biggest health insurers are weighing up rebates while, in aviation, the Times reports that Aer Lingus is yet to renew its Stobart Air contract for regional routes, while Ryanair has lost its appeal in a defamation case.

According to the diary, I was supposed to be travelling to Belgium today to see the restored Ghent Alterpiece. So, no Van Eyke for me, and no chocolates for you lot. But here's some Zen.

Enjoy the weekend as best you can.

Bernard