One death has been announced in the republic of Ireland as 24 new cases recorded
There has now been a total of 1,764 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
There is now a total of 25,869 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
The head of the HSE has said the Irish health service is prepared for a second surge of the coronavirus, should one develop on our shores.
CEO Paul Reid said the HSE has learned a lot from the first phase of Covid-19, and is in a much stronger position now than it was in March.
As Ireland saw the devastation being caused by Covid-19 in Italy, many were scared that our healthcare system would not be able to cope.
Mr Reid said that during non-Covid times, our hospitals operate at 95% capacity. Because of this, the HSE worked to increase the number of hospital beds available, so that we wouldn’t see the overcrowding that took place in Italy.
Since the first wave of Covid-19 hit Ireland, local industries have begun to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which is also essential in the fight against the virus.
Mr told RTE Radio 1’s The Business that the HSE is well equipped, should a second surge hit Ireland.
He said: “We’re in a stronger position on many fronts - knowledge of PPE is much better, but also we’ve built up indigenous Irish industry to give us a bit of resilience.”
Securing and providing PPE is essential to protecting frontline workers and the public.
He said: “Right at the start of this global pandemic, as we saw what was happening across the world, there was no doubt as Ireland looked on, as the health service looked on, we were quite scared about what was happening.
“One of our primary and key concerns was to protect our frontline staff, and that was our primary driver to secure Personal Protective Equipment.
“In terms of what may happen next, I will always want to ensure that we do the right thing.
“We would normally spend less than €20million per year on PPE. Our total spend this year will be close to €1billion, if not just over it.”
Mr Reid’s comments come as other countries are warning of a second surge of the virus.
Several countries, including Spain, the Ukraine and Vietnam, have warned that they could see a second wave of Covid-19.
In the Catalonia region in Spain, nightclubs have been ordered to close in a bid to stop the spread of infection.
Vietnam is currently on high alert after health officials there detected the first local infection in three months.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine and South Korea have also reported a surge in cases, with South Korea reporting its biggest daily surge in cases in three months.
