There have been 23 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ireland today, and 15 (65%) of those are directly or indirectly linked to travel.
Health chiefs this evening confirmed that the R rate - which determines the rate at which the virus travels - is at or above one.
In order to control the virus, the rate must remain below one.
And they have also said that the number of cases in people aged under 40 years of age has changed in the past couple of weeks.
Of the new cases announced today, 77% of those are under the age of 25.
There have sadly also been six more deaths from the virus announced today.
In Ireland, there have been 25,565 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,743 related deaths.
Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Today, NPHET has recommended that all visitors to healthcare settings including hospitals, GP practices and pharmacies, should wear face coverings.
“15 of today’s confirmed cases are directly or indirectly related to travel. NPHET today reiterates that all non-essential travel overseas should be avoided.
“In addition, 77% of cases reported today are under 25 years of age. COVID-19 is extremely infectious and none of us are immune. It is important that we all continue to follow public health advice and risk assess our actions.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said; “We are seeing an increase in the number of reported cases over the last 2 weeks and the R-number is now at or above 1.
"There is an immediate need for all of us to take care and caution in our decisions and actions.”
