Ireland recorded 196 new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, with the vast majority again in Dublin.
The total number of cases now stands at 30,360, while the number of deaths remains at 1,781 after none were confirmed in the last 24 hours.
A staggering 107 of the new infections were recorded in the capital, while Waterford saw 12 Limerick had 11.
Of the cases notified today:
- 103 are men / 91 are women
- 61% are under 45 years of age
- 43% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
- 37 cases have been identified as community transmission
- 107 in Dublin, 12 in Waterford, 11 in Limerick, 8 in Wicklow, 7 in Meath, 7 in Kildare, 6 in Laois, 6 in Westmeath, and the remaining 32 cases are located in Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Wexford.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: "Today we have at least 37 cases linked with community transmission. 27 of today’s cases are over the age of 65 years.
"By limiting our contacts, we limit the opportunity COVID-19 has to spread through the community and ultimately we protect our families, our communities and those who are most vulnerable to the severest impacts of the disease.”
The news comes after officials met today to discuss concerns over a rise in cases in Dublin.
Limerick was also analysed by experts from the National Public Health Emergency as they aim to determine whether any further measures need to be enforced.
It was revealed at a Department of Health briefing last night that cases in Dublin are driving much of the increase seen around the country.
