There has been a jump in coronavirus clusters reported in homes across the country, new statistics reveal.
In total, a further 35 clusters were recorded in private houses in just three days.
The worst-hit area was the east of Ireland, which accounted for 20 clusters according to the latest data released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Of the rest, eight were recorded in the North-West, one in the Mid-West, one in the West and five in the South-East.
But there was some good news as the number of clusters at nursing homes saw no increase in the latest figures.
There were also no further clusters recorded at hospitals or workplaces.
The statistics cover the period up to midnight on Saturday, July 11.
It comes after it was announced last night that no further people have died from coronavirus in Ireland, while 11 new cases have been confirmed here.
There has now been a total of 25,638 confirmed infections in Ireland and the death toll now stands at 1,746.
And health chiefs have also pleaded with tourists to stay in their hotels amid rising anger over flights arriving here every day from US Covid-19 hotspots.
Hundreds of holidaymakers have landed in recent days and have been out booking restaurants and tours instead of isolating for 14 days.
Many were on flights from Texas and Florida where infections are soaring.
It’s feared a second wave will be imported by visitors despite Irish people being told to cancel foreign trips.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn revealed since the start of June, there have been confirmed Covid-19 cases among visitors from 15 countries including the US, the UK, France, Germany and Sweden.
Travellers also tested positive after flying here from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Malaysia, Pakistan, Portugal, Qatar, Sudan, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.
It was confirmed positive cases include Irish citizens returning from abroad.
In a direct appeal to tourists, Dr Glynn said: “Stay in your hotel. Now is not the time to explore Ireland unfortunately."
