“Stay at home, other than for essential reasons,”

That was the advice from Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan as it was revealed that cases of coronavirus in Ireland have now surpassed 60,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Yesterday the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) was been informed of six additional deaths among people with Covid-19 in Ireland, bringing the total number of deaths from the disease to 1,902.

Another 866 additional cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the past 24 hours, meaning there have now been 60,297 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

Of the latest cases, 242 were in Dublin, with 166 in Cork, 56 in Donegal, 54 in Galway, 44 in Meath and the remaining 304 cases spread across another 20 counties.

‘Behave as though you are a close contact’

Dr Holohan pleaded with the public to adhere to the Level 5 guidelines and take the restrictions on movement and social contact seriously.

“I again appeal to everyone to behave as though you are a close contact,” he said.

“If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it is vitally important that you self-isolate and phone your GP for further advice.

“Self-isolate means staying in your room and avoiding contact with other members of your household. Doing this will protect those you live with by interrupting the chain of transmission.”

Further information on self-isolation is available from the HSE here.