A further 444 coronavirus cases have been confirmed this evening.
Meanwhile sadly another 8 deaths have been announced.
The figures were announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team this evening.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said; “Every piece of public health advice we have given from the outset of this pandemic is designed to keep everyone protected from the impact of COVID-19. If you are a close contact of a confirmed case, you are asked to restrict your movements for 14 days and to attend for your two free COVID-19 test, one on day 0 and one on day 7.
"This is because as an identified close contact, you have come into contact with the virus. It may take some time for this to become apparent, or for you to become infectious.”
“By staying at home for this entire 14 day period, you are helping to stop the spread of this dangerous disease. In following this important guidance, you are helping to bring this virus right back down to where we all need it to be and playing your part in this national effort.”
As Ireland enters nearly two weeks of Level Five restrictions encouraging signs are being show as cases continue to drop.
And today Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed that Ireland's R number has dropped below 1 for the first time since the lockdown began.
Mr Donnelly revealed that the reproductive number now stands at between 0.7 and 0.9.
The key metric shows roughly how many other people get infected by an average Covid-19 case.
However while there are positive signs, health chiefs continue to urge caution as they continue to encourage the public to adhere to public health guidelines.
Speaking earlier this week Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that while case figures were dropping he warned "we still have a long way to go."
Dr Holohan said: “Due to the efforts of people across Ireland, we are seeing improvements with COVID-19.
"However, we must remember that maintaining this downward trend is now the most crucial thing.
"The value of our progress depends on continuing the safe behaviour that got us to this position. I urge everyone to keep it up, to ensure these initial trends continue.”
