The World Health Organisation has warned we are in this "for the long haul" with no sign of the coronavirus slowing down.
Ireland hit its first bump in a while with a jump to 24 new cases but has largely suppressed the virus in the community.
However, the virus is accelerating worldwide with deaths passing the half a million mark six months since the virus was discovered.
WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference on Monday: "We all want this to be over. We all want to get on with our lives.
"But the hard reality is: this is not even close to being over.
"Although many countries have made some progress, globally the pandemic is actually speeding up.
"We’re all in this together, and we’re all in this for the long haul.
"We will need even greater stores of resilience, patience, humility and generosity in the months ahead.
"We have already lost so much – but we cannot lose hope."
The chief, reflecting on six months that have changed the world, said the virus has brought the best and the worst out in humanity.
He added: "Tomorrow marks six months since WHO received the first reports of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in China.
"The six-month anniversary of the outbreak coincides with reaching 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths.
"This is a moment for all of us to reflect on the progress we have made and the lessons we have learned, and to recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to save lives.
"Six months ago, none of us could have imagined how our world – and our lives – would be thrown into turmoil by this new virus.
"The pandemic has brought out the best and the worst of humanity.
"All over the world we have seen heartwarming acts of resilience, inventiveness, solidarity and kindness.
"But we have also seen concerning signs of stigma, misinformation and the politicization of the pandemic."
