204 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ireland, seventh patient has died

This brings the total number of cases in Ireland to 1,329.

204 new cases of coronavirus confirmed have been in Ireland, and a seventh patient has died as a result of the virus. A male in the east of the country with an underlying health issue is the seventh person to have died from Covid-19 in Ireland.  As of Monday night (23 March), 7,992 tests had been carried out in labs across the country, and 36 people have been admitted to the ICU. The most recent figures, which were released by the Department of Health on Tuesday, also found that out of the 14,692 tests that have been done at the National Virus Research Lab in UCD, 93% of them came back negative. There is currently approximately 2,000 tests happening in Ireland per day, which is expected to rise to 3,000 tests per day by next week, and will then continue to increase to the capacity of 15,000 tests per day over the next couple of weeks. Dublin remains the county with the highest number of cases with 535 currently confirmed. Chief Medical Officer with the Department of Health, Doctor Tony Holohan said on Tuesday night that people should only take public transport when "absolutely necessary." These findings come on the same day that the Government announced a number of new safety measures in an attempt to slow down the spread of Covid-19. These new safety measures include:

• Private hospitals will be used as public hospitals on a not for profit basis, with each patient being treated equally.
• From midnight on Tuesday (24 March) onwards, all hotels are to limit occupancy to essential stays.
• All non-essential retail outlets are to close to members of the public.
• All essential retail outlets will implement changes to best combat the spread of Covid-19.
• All playgrounds and caravan parks are to close, while organised social indoor events are forbidden.
• The Gardaí will increase interventions when groups are not adhering to social distancing.
• All sporting events are now cancelled, even those behind closed doors.