The number was originally thought to have been 17.
The latest statement from the Health Service Executive on the matter of CervicalCheck screenings shows that number of affected women who are now deceased is actually 18.
Minister for Health Simon Harris had originally put the number at 17 when addressing the Dáil. The latest statement, which was released after 6pm on Monday evening, reads that "18 of the 209 women are deceased and where this is the case their family/next of kin are being contacted."
The statement says that "To date, 6,280 calls have been returned to women, and every effort will continue to be made to ensure that contact is made as quickly as possible with all those who have requested a call back. We have teams working in Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Dublin, and in hospitals right across the country, making contact with all of the women who have requested a call back and answering their queries, with personal health records and advice where appropriate."
Yesterday, the HSE, reaffirmed that 203 of the 209 women whose audit showed their test could have provided a different result had been contacted.
The HSE has been contacted for commented but has not responded.
