A Level 5 lockdown is looking likely.

As the country waits for an announcement on tightened restrictions, due to be revealed at around 9pm this evening, a further 1,031 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported across the country.

There have been no further deaths from the disease in the past 24 hours.

Of the new cases reported this evening, 235 are in Dublin, with 232 in Cork, 60 in Galway, 47 in Limerick and 47 in Kerry. 511 are men and 518 are women, while 70% are under 45 years of age.

Hospital admissions on the rise

As of this morning, there are now 298 people battling Covid-19 in hospital across the country, 34 in intensive care units.

With 23 coronavirus patients, Cork University Hospital is among the four hospitals dealing with the most cases, alongside Beaumont Hospital in Dublin (18), Tallaght (24) and Cavan (33).

“If you have symptoms of COVID-19, if you are waiting for a test result or if you are a confirmed case, you must self-isolate for 10 days from when you first develop symptoms. Self-isolation means staying in your room, away from other members of your household.” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan.

“If you live in a house with a confirmed case do not go to work or school. You must stay at home and restrict your movements for 14 days.”

We’re carrying out over 100,000 tests per week.We’ve increased our capacity now to over 120,000. Regardless of what decision is made by Government today, it will still be up to all of us to break this trend. Let’s all get back to the basics & play our part. @HSELive #COVID19

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) October 19, 2020

Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid said the HSE is carrying out over 100,000 tests per week and has now increased capacity again to over 120,000.

“Regardless of what decision is made by Government today, it will still be up to all of us to break this trend. Let’s all get back to the basics and play our part.” he tweeted.