A FURTHER 255 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total number of cases here to 1,819.

A further 10 deaths connected to the coronavirus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of deaths to 19.

The figures were announced at a briefing at the Department of Health tonight.

Three female patients and seven male patients died; nine of those who died were in the east of the country and one was in the south.

The median age of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who have died was 79 years; 68% were male and 32% were female.

The latest figures are correct as of 1pm today.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts new cases may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.

Most of the deaths were in nursing homes or hospitals, Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, confirmed.

Earlier a report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) noted that nine Covid-19 clusters have occurred in nursing homes.

Holohan reiterated that nursing homes, hospitals and other places where vulnerable people live “are not places that are appropriate to be visiting at this time”. He said the risk of infecting people who may be vulnerable due to their age, a medical condition or both was “very significant”.

“It is important, as we’ve been saying all along, to care for your loved one by staying away at this time, and by finding other means of maintaining contact,” Holohan added, saying people should stay in touch via phone, video calls or letters.

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Tuesday 24 March (1,383 cases), shows:

55% are male and 45% are female, with 66 clusters involving 295 cases

The median age of confirmed cases is 46 years

340 cases (25%) have been hospitalised

Of those hospitalised, 47 cases have been admitted to ICU

321 cases (23%) are associated with healthcare workers

Dublin has the highest number of cases at 774, (56% of all cases) followed by Cork with 154 cases (11%)

Of those for whom transmission status is known; community transmission accounts for 51%, close contact accounts for 22%, travel abroad accounts for 27%

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Research

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health shows that while 35% of people are worried about their personal health, 77% of people are worried about the health of their family and friends.

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

66% of people say they are coughing into their elbow

81% say they are physical distancing when they are in a queue

65% of people are worried about the economy

32% of people are worried about their employment status

Speaking tonight, Holohan said: “We are only at the beginning of the curve. We need every citizen to heed the advice and measures put in place to protect all of us.”

He also expressed condolences with the families of those who have died.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health, said he and his colleagues “are aware Covid-19 is impacting and reshaping daily life for everyone”.

“We can see from the data that people are most concerned about their family and friends. If you look after yourself, restrict movement and follow advice, you will ultimately protect them,” Glynn added.

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Earlier it was confirmed that three more people have died from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of people who’ve died from the virus there to 10.

A further 32 cases of the novel coronavirus in the North were also confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 241.