Ireland now has 169 confirmed cases of coronavirus including two deaths from the disease.
79 new cases were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Sunday with the east of the country seeing 46 of these.
The Department of Health confirmed on Sunday that 23 men and 17 women had contracted the disease - 25 of these were in the east of the country, 9 in the west and six in the south.
On Saturday 39 cases were confirmed, 29 men and 10 women - 21 cases were in the east, 13 in the south, three in the north west and two in the west.
The Department of Health has been announcing the locations of all cases so far except for on Thursday and Friday - with 48 cases not given regions by the Department.
So over the weekend there was a 46 increase in east cases, 19 in the south, three in the north-west and two in the west.
With the testing threshold for the virus being dropped, a surge in cases is expected over the coming days.
As of this morning GP's can order Covid-19 tests electronically which is likely to see a big increase in the amount of people confirmed positive.
So far there have been two deaths from the disease with cases jumping by 79 at the weekend to 169 in total.
The HSE dropped the testing threshold for coronavirus to anyone who has cold or flu symptoms which is also likely to lead to a big surge.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE said: " While we appreciate people’s concern about COVID-19, we would ask for their patience as we respond to the increasing requirement for testing.
"To limit the spread of COVID – 19 people should; practice social distancing and avoid crowded places, wash their hands properly and often, cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, clean and disinfect frequently touched surface, stay at home if they are sick to avoid spread of whatever infection they have.
"I completely understand people feeling concern and anxiety. We will all work together as a health service to provide the information you need, and to provide the testing and health care needed for those who do develop illness due to COVID-19.
"The public should go to the HSE website in the first instance if they are concerned about COVID-19.”
All pubs were ordered to close on Sunday as the government clamped down on social distancing measures in the country.
