Two babies under the age of one have been infected with coronavirus in Ireland, official statistics reveal.
Department of Health officials released an age breakdown of the Irish cases of COVID-19 earlier this week.
It had previously been confirmed on Wednesday that one baby under 12 months old had tested positive for the killer bug, but that had been the only case in the Republic of Ireland under the age of five.
However health officials have since revealed that a second case was confirmed in a tot under the age of one.
While two further children between the ages of one and four have now been infected.
The statistics also show that two children under the age of five had to be hospitalised due to the virus.
It comes after 102 new Irish cases of the coronavirus were confirmed last night.
It brings the total number of cases in the Republic of Ireland to 785 cases.
The HSE said it is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
Speaking on Saturday evening, Dr Tony Holohan said: “The Department is aware that pubs in some areas of the country are continuing to open, in contravention of existing public health advice.
"If any such premises become known to us, the Minister will be advised to use his regulatory powers to enforce the temporary closure of premises in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“We are also asking An Garda Siochana to assist in encouraging the public to abide by the public health advice on social distancing by encouraging any groups congregating in public to disperse.”
Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, added: “We must continue in our efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19 together, as a society, to protect our healthcare workers and our most vulnerable.”
And earlier on Saturday, the North announced a further 22 cases bringing its total confirmed cases to 108. One person in Northern Ireland has died as a result of Covid-19.
A spokesman for the NI Department of Health said: “As of 2pm on Saturday 21 March, testing has resulted in 22 new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 108.
“To date 1 person who tested positive has sadly died.
“The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is 2,186.
“People with mild symptoms - new persistent cough and/or fever - should stay at home and self-isolate.
"They will not require testing and will not therefore be included in testing totals.”
