A further 362 coronavirus cases have been confirmed this evening while sadly another two deaths have been announced.
The figures were announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team this afternoon.
Of the cases notified today:
- 187 are men / 174 are women
- 55% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 41 years old
- 90 in Dublin, 48 in Donegal, 34 in Limerick, 29 in Louth, 24 in Limerick and the remaining 137 cases are spread across 21 other counties.
As Ireland nears the half way point of a second lockdown all eyes are on what decisions will be taken come December for the Christmas period.
Retailers and publicans are anxious to open their doors again for the festive period however concerns still remain about a resurgence of the virus.
There has been positive signs in recent days that Level Five restrictions are working to curb the further spread of Covid-19 in Ireland.
Speaking today Dr Colm Henry Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE has said that "for a second time," Ireland has managed to turn the tide against the coronavirus.
The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer said that the positive news was perhaps due to Ireland "learning from mainland Europe" and implementing restrictions early.
But experts and politicians are still urging caution ahead of the Christmas season.
Yesterday Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said it was "far too soon to consider easing any restrictions early" but added current trends are encouraging.
Meanwhile Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan shared more positive news that the 14-day incidence rate in Ireland has plummeted compared to the last two weeks.
He said: "The significant improvement in the profile of the disease is encouraging: the 14-day incidence of 152 cases per 100,000 is down by 51% compared to the previous two weeks.
“To maintain this positive trajectory, we need to remain vigilant to the highly infectious nature of this virus, which can easily spread from person to person through close contact and by social mixing.
"Our individual everyday choices to stay at home and keep our contacts to a minimum are vital to driving down the spread of COVID-19.”
