HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE confirmed no further deaths of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 and 79 new confirmed cases of the disease in Ireland. 

The number of people in this country with the coronavirus who have died stands at 1,776 and there have been 27,755 confirmed cases. 

Yesterday, 136 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in this country. 

Of today’s cases, 21 cases have been identified as community transmission. 

43 cases are in Dublin, 9 in Kildare, 6 in Cork, 6 in Tipperary and the remaining 15 cases are in Clare, Donegal, Laois, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Roscommon, Wexford and Wicklow.

Today’s cases were confirmed this evening following a briefing by acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. 

The briefing provided details of an extension of lockdown restrictions in Kildare. 

“The epidemiological situation in Kildare means that we must extend the public health measures for a further two weeks. While there is some cause for optimism, the 7 and 14 day incidence rates in Kildare remain very high. Evidence suggests that the measures are working, but more time is required to reduce the number of cases in Kildare,” Glynn said this evening. 

We as a nation must show solidarity with Kildare in our collective efforts, especially over the next two weeks, by working together to suppress this virus.

Speaking at the earlier briefing, Glynn said he wanted to reassure people about where the virus stands in this country.

“I know that a lot of people are worried and frightened by the escalation in cases in recent weeks. But I want to reassure you that we are still in a relatively good position in this country,” he said.