It’s a worrying number.

Irish hospitals are currently caring for 341 coronavirus patients, the highest number since May, with 38 people currently requiring treatment in intensive care units.

As the country enters our first full week of Level 5 lockdown restrictions, there have been 16 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

A further 939 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported on Monday, 96 of which were in Cork. There were 262 cases in Dublin, 61 in Meath, 53 in Galway, 51 in Donegal and the remaining 413 cases were spread across all remaining counties.

Three more people lost their lives to the disease.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan called on the public to stick rigidly to the public health advice, particularly when it comes to self-isolation.

“We need to have cases and contacts acting fully in accordance with advice.” Dr Holohan said.

If you’re a case, had test or symptoms of #COVID19 SELF ISOLATE 10 d; if you live with a case or have been told you’re a close contact, RESTRICT YOUR MOVEMENTS for 14 d; Everyone else STAY HOME unless for essential reasons/exercise in 5KM @roinnslainte @HSELive

— Dr Tony Holohan (@CMOIreland) October 25, 2020

“There are too many stories of people with symptoms/waiting on tests and not self-isolating, also contacts not restricting movements.”

“Spread the word and make sure we all know what to do if we have contracted Covid-19 or if we have symptoms of Covid-19.”