HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE confirmed a further 14 deaths from the Covid-19 virus and 212 new cases.

Of those 14 new reported deaths, eight of those patients were reported to have had an underlying condition.

Seven of the patients were female, seven were male.

10 patients were located in the east, four were located in the south.

It brings to 85 the number of deaths from Covid-19 in Ireland; the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases now stands at 3, 447.

Earlier today, two more deaths were confirmed in Northern Ireland. 30 people have now died from the virus there with the total number of cases 689.

The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to prevent further spread.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has analysed Ireland’s total cases as midnight of Monday (when there were 2,990 cases). They found:

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%

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.

“People are taking action to look after their wellbeing. Two thirds of people are conversing with family and friend’s 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.”

Today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said a shortage of reagents is causing the current delay for people waiting for their coronavirus test results.

The briefing this evening is headed up by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Glynn, as CMO Dr Tony Holohan has been in hospital today for tests unrelated to Covid-19.

Dr Holohan said today his tests came back fine and he expects to return to work as early as tomorrow.

With reporting from Conal Thomas