235 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Ireland

There are now 1,771 on the island of Ireland.

235 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland, according to new figures released by the Department of Health. It brings the total number of cases in the Republic of Ireland to 1,564 and 1,771 on the island of Ireland. Two more people have died from Covid-19, a male and a female in the east of the country bringing the total number of deaths to nine. 39 people have been admitted to intensive care units in Ireland. Speaking on Wednesday evening, Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan said community transmission accounts for 49% of all cases. Northern Ireland currently has a total of 209 confirmed cases although its Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, said on Wednesday he believes "many thousands" of people there have contracted coronavirus. Seven people have died from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland. On Wednesday, the testing criteria for Covid-19 in Ireland was changed following a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency team (NPHET). People seeking tests for Covid-19 will have to display two symptoms of the virus. Those who wish to be tested for the virus must display a fever, at least one sign of a respiratory disease – a cough or shortness of breath – and fall into a priority group to be eligible for testing. More information on those measures is available here and the list of retail services deemed essential, that can remain open, can be seen here.