A total of 38 people died from Covid-19 in Ireland in the past 24 hours while more than one thousand new cases were also reported.
Our death toll is now at 444 people which is up from 406 people yesterday.
The number of cases in Donegal has risen to 296 – up from yesterday’s 264 figure.
A total of 657 new cases have been confirmed in Irish labs while a further 411 were confirmed from the backlog of tests sent to a German lab.
The total number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus is now 12,547.
Of today’s fatalities, 29 in the east, six in the west and three in the south.
Of these 22 were male while 16 were female and 28 were reported as having an underlying health condition.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said he believes the increase in figures is because of more tests being carried out.
“We believe the increase in the number is as a result of more testing.
“We don’t think it’s because the disease is changing its behaviour.”
Dr Holohan was also asked about social distancing.
He replied “Where is the end of point of social distancing?
“We just do not know but it may be needed to protect the health of people in our society.
“It could be a lengthy period of time before we have a vaccine.”
250 clusters have now been identified in residential and community settings, with 159 in nursing homes.
