Coronavirus Ireland cases today: Slight drop as 777 more infections reported and seven deaths confirmed

A further 777 coronavirus cases have been announced this evening.

Meanwhile sadly another seven deaths were confirmed.

The figures were announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team today.

They come as the country enters day two of Level Five restrictions set to be in place for the next six weeks.

Speaking on tonight's figures Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said; “15,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the last 14 days.

"It is vital for everyone with a recent diagnosis to self-isolate for the full 10 days to protect the people they live with, the people they love and people in their communities from this highly infectious disease.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE and Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group at a Covid-19 press conference at the Department of Health (Colin Keegan/Collins)

"Self-isolate means stay at home, stay in your room as much as possible, stay away from other people, including those in your household.

“If you live with someone who has COVID-19 or you have been told that you are a close contact, you must restrict your movements for a full 14 days. Stay at home - don’t go to work, don’t go to school.

“I appeal to everyone to behave as though you are a close contact. Stay at home, other than for essential reasons. Now is the time to use our reserves of energy and dig deep in our efforts to follow the public health advice – keep your distance, wash your hands and wear a face covering. Play your part to break the chains of transmission across families, neighbours and communities.”

Health chiefs earlier stressed that the next few weeks were crucial in getting spiralling cases down to a more manageable level.

Prof Philip Nolan said on Thursday that if all the public health measures are adhered to properly the country could see less than 100 cases per day.

However Health Minister Stephen Donnelly warned that some counties could still face restrictions into December if cases are still too high.

Donnelly added that lockdown could be lifted on a county by county basis in order to keep the virus at bay for Christmas.

Ireland's 14-day incidence rate has gone over 300 per 100,000 people for the first time since the pandemic began.

The rate was 100 times lower in June at just 3 per 100,000 with the picture now very different.

The R rate is now estimated at around 1.3 or 1.4 with  the aim to get it as low as 0.5 by December.