Ireland has recorded fewer than 100 new coronavirus cases for the sixth consecutive day, new figures have shown.
Sadly, another 12 coronavirus related deaths were announced on Thursday evening.
But 76 new cases were confirmed, marking Thursday the sixth day in a row in which new coronavirus cases were below 100.
Deputy Chief Medical officer Ronan Glynn said the latest figures were 'very positive' but emphasised the need to continue to suppress the virus.
He said: “We have experienced six consecutive days of under 100 new confirmed cases in Ireland.
"This is very positive and demonstrates the extent to which the public’s actions have limited the spread of this disease.
"However, it is only through continued commitment to hand washing, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing that we will remain successful in suppressing the spread of Covid-19 through the community.”
Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group added" “Most indicators continue to improve, with ICU and hospital admissions, number of cases per day and number of deaths per day continuing to decline.
Prevalence of the virus remains low in the community. The reproduction number is well below one, so our task remains to maintain low transmission of the virus.”
The dwindling numbers come as Ireland enters phase one of the government's roadmap to take the country out of lockdown.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dail on Thursday that the virus has been 'effectively suppressed' in the community.
Mr Varadkar also signalled that he would be willing to fast track Ireland's exit from lonckdown but insisted it would only be done if it was safe to do so.
He said: "I'd like to be in the situation where we can accelerate the opening of the country, but it's far too soon to make that call because we still don't know what the impact is of these restrictions (being removed) that happened this Monday.
"We won't know that really until the first week of June, before we can make any call on moving to phase two, or even perhaps bringing forward some of the relaxations, we'll need see that data first.
"I'd really appeal to people in the meantime to follow that basic common sense that helps us to avoid the virus spreading again.
