164 new cases, no deaths, Mayo still 587
There have been 164 new cases of Covid-19 reported this evening while there have been no further deaths reported.
It brings the total number of confirmed cases to 28,363, while there have been 1,777 Covid-19 related deaths.
There has been no change in Mayo which remains on 587.
Of the cases notified today:
83 are men and 81 are women
65% are under 45 years of age
80 are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case
21 cases have been identified as community transmission93 are in Dublin, 22 in Kildare, 10 in Tipperary, 9 in Cork, 8 in Carlow, 6 in Waterford, 6 in Offaly and the remaining 10 cases are in Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth and Roscommon.
Dr. Ronan Glynn, acting chief medical officer, said: "As we head into autumn when people are more likely to have cold or ‘flu-like symptoms please do not adopt a wait and see approach.
"The greatest protection you can give your family and friends is to isolate as soon as you have any symptoms and contact your GP by phone.
"Remember, there should be no charge for either a consultation with your GP nor for a COVID-19 test should you require one.”
Speaking at an Oireachtas Commitee meeting earlier, Dr. Glynn said that while he hopes the recent increase in cases is not a second wave, there is "no doubt" that there has been a "deteriorating situation over the past couple of months."
Dr. Glynn said that it is no surprise there have been more cases of the virus since restrictions eased and that "by the very nature of their lives," we will see more cases in younger people.
He said he is increasingly concerned by the overall number of new cases.
Dr. Glynn said at the "heart" of the latest restrictions, they are asking people to cut down their "discretionary social contacts."
"If we don't cut down the number of people that each of us comes into contact with, there is no doubt that the number of cases will continue to rise.
"If that happens, it will inevitably lead to cases in older people and those who are medically vulnerable," he said.
Dr. Glynn said that if the numbers continue to rise, he would be concerned about the impact that would have in terms of hospitalisations, admissions to critical care and mortality.