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The number of babies under the age of one with coronavirus has doubled in just two days, figures reveal.

Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reveals that eight babies under 12 months old have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ireland.

This is double the amount reported just two days earlier.

The latest figures were released on Wednesday and cover the period up to midnight, Monday March 30.

It comes after it was confirmed last night that fourteen more people tragically died from the coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland.

And 212 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were also announced by the Department of Health.

There have now been 85 deaths related to the virus in the Republic.

A total of 3,447 people here have now tested positive for the bug.

Ten of the new deaths were located in the east and four in the south.

The tragic patients included seven women and seven men. Eight were reported as having underlying health conditions.

The median age of deaths in the Republic of Ireland is 82.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “Our research suggests that 1 in 3 people are worried about their health, with 3 out of 4 worried about the health of their families and friends.

(Image: RTE)

“People are taking action to look after their wellbeing. Two thirds of people are conversing with family and friends by using phone and internet.

“Restrictions do not mean you stop maintaining your relationships or your health. Adapt your hobbies; go for walks, exercise and do the things that maintain wellbeing within the limits of physical distancing and public health advice.

“I can confirm that expanded contact tracing for all confirmed cases for the 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms, as decided by National Public Health Emergency Team will commence this week. This will reduce transmission of the virus.”

The latest figures were recorded as of 1pm on Wednesday.

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The latest’s data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, which deals with 2,990 cases identified as of midnight on Monday, March 30, shows that:

48% are male and 50% are female, with 134 clusters involving 563 cases

Median age of confirmed cases is 48 years

834 cases (28%) have been hospitalised

Of those hospitalised, 126 cases have been admitted to ICU

752 cases (25%) are associated with healthcare workers

Dublin has the highest number of cases at 1,645 (55% of all cases) followed by Cork with 255 cases (8%)

Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 60%, close contact accounts for 21%, travel abroad accounts for 18%

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that 65% of people in Ireland are engaging in online interactions with family and friends.

The nationally representative online survey of 1,270 adults, conducted today and which will be conducted twice weekly, reveals:

89% believe current social distancing measures are appropriate

94% are confident in their ability to adhere to new restrictions

85% feel they have adapted to changes since COVID-19 and know the steps to take if they develop symptoms

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE said: "The public health messaging remains the same for all patients awaiting testing. Assume you have COVID19 and isolate.

"Each and everyone of you can break the chain of transmission of the virus, save lives and reduce illness among vulnerable groups."