The Department of Health has reported 444 new cases of COVID-19 as well as eight further deaths related to the virus.
Galway has 36 new cases today, while 158 cases are in Dublin, 48 in Cork and 28 in Limerick.
61% of the cases are under 45 and the median age is 37.
As of 2pm today, 310 people with the virus are in hospital, of which 41 are in ICU. There have been 25 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
“Every piece of public health advice we have given from the outset of this pandemic is designed to keep everyone protected from the impact of COVID-19,” said Dr Tony Holohan this evening.
“If you are a close contact of a confirmed case, you are asked to restrict your movements for 14 days and to attend for your two free COVID-19 test, one on day 0 and one on day 7.
“This is because as an identified close contact, you have come into contact with the virus. It may take some time for this to become apparent, or for you to become infectious.
“By staying at home for this entire 14 day period, you are helping to stop the spread of this dangerous disease. In following this important guidance, you are helping to bring this virus right back down to where we all need it to be and playing your part in this national effort.”
