A further 1,283 coronavirus cases have been confirmed this evening while sadly another 3 deaths have been announced.
The figures were announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team.
As of 2pm today 277 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 33 are in ICU. 17 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
Of the cases notified today;
- 651 are women / 628 are men
- 68% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 31 years old
- 408 in Dublin, 156 in Cork, 88 in Kildare, 80 in Meath, 55 in Limerick and the remaining 496 cases are spread across 21 counties.
They come following crunch talks which took place between party leaders and health experts over the weekend on the possibility of new restrictions.
On Friday it emerged that NPHET had once again recommended that Ireland be moved to Level Five lockdown following a recent surge in coronavirus cases.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan yesterday briefed Government Ministers including Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about NPHET's advice, which suggested the lockdown last for a period of six weeks.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid also briefed the group of the capacity situation in Irish hospitals.
Cabinet is set to meet on Monday to discuss recommendations made by NPHET with a move to Level Four or Five likely.
Speaking today Minister Simon Harris said that Level Three "hasn't worked" and that a county-by-county approach won't be appropriate in the current situation.
He explained that the new rules will be 'decisive' and will be introduced right across the country.
But he urged that the Government will need to balance restrictions with "our honest view on what people can bear or sustain”.
He told RTE's This Week in Politics: “The Government will act tomorrow. Action will be decisive and it will be right across the country."
However despite the likelihood of harsh measures being introduced it is also likely that schools will remain open.
Last night a Government spokesperson said: "The Health team briefed Ministers that children were safer in schools, transmission rates are low, and that the continued opening of schools is very important to the development and wellbeing of children and young people."
