A huge majority of Irish people have heeded official warnings about coronavirus and are washing their hands more often and staying home, a study has suggested.
Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that more than 93% of the population are washing their hands more often as a result of Covid-19.
But 29% of people say they are not sitting further apart from others, which shows that officials have more work on their hands to get the safety message across.
The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults conducted today, and which will be conducted twice weekly, also revealed:
88% of people say they are staying at home, rather than going out
84% of people say they are practicing social distance in a queue
71% of people say they are sitting further apart from others
75% are confident they would know what steps to take if they developed symptoms and 90% know the two most common symptoms (fever and/or cough)
If you are experiencing symptoms, such as fever and cough, self isolate and call your GP, who will guide you.
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, added: "The key response that every individual can make if they are experiencing symptoms is to self isolate.
"While we continue to increase testing in Ireland, in line with WHO guidelines, the most important action that can be taken against this virus is isolation and social distancing."
Some 219 new cases were announced today, while two more people have also died from coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland.
The country's cases total now stands at 1,125, while the death toll is now six.
