A further 84 coronavirus cases and three deaths were reported this evening.
There was 51 in Dublin, 6 in Offaly, 5 in Kildare .
The remaining 22 cases are located in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Meath, Roscommon, Tipperary, Westmeath and Wicklow.
Professor Philip Nolan has expressed concern over the growth of Covid-19, particularly in Dublin. He says at present the five-day average number of cases is 172.
He added: ; “While the reproduction number for Ireland as a whole is close to 1.0, the reproduction number for Dublin alone is approximately 1.4.
"We are seeing increasing case numbers in Dublin, growing close to 5% per day.
"If this were to continue, the number of cases would double every 14 days.
"Given the size of Dublin’s population it is essential we prevent any further spread now – by limiting our social contacts and taking precautions during any essential contacts.”
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “We continue to see a concerning pattern of cases, particularly in Dublin.
"Transmission is diffuse across the county, is in all age groups and is mainly being driven by social interaction within and between households.”
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE, said; “The greatest risk of transmission to school children is in the home setting. "International experience reveals that reopening of schools has not been associated with significantly increasing community transmission.
"Instead, it is transmission of virus within communities that poses the greatest threat to schools. Again, we urge all households to think through their social plans.
"To keep within the 6 indoor/ 15 outdoor person gathering limits and apply physical distancing in all settings.”
Of the cases notified today;
- 32 are men / 52 are women
66% are under 45 years of age
- 30% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
- 8 cases have been identified as community transmission
