28 further deaths and 500 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.

The Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team released the latest figures on Thursday evening. There have now been 263  COVID-19 related deaths in the Republic of Ireland, while the total number of confirmed cases stands at 6,574. The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. The National Public Health Emergency Team’s modelling data has revealed that Ireland’s effort to date has greatly reduced the transmission of the virus. The growth rate has reduced from 33 per cent daily in the early weeks of this outbreak, to 9 per cent this week. Meanwhile, the number of people, on average, that someone with COVID 19 is likely to infect was high at the beginning of the outbreak at 4.5. This ‘R’ (reproduction) number has reduced very significantly. "When an R number increases by even a fraction above 1, the number of new cases per day will rise, slowly but inexorably," Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAG) said. “We are at a very delicate and critical point in our response to this pandemic.” "The virus is still sustaining itself in our community. If we do not stay at home and practice physical distancing then we are not stopping the spread. It is crucial that each one of us take seriously the risks this virus poses, follows the guidelines and limit the opportunity for this virus to spread," Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said. “We must follow the public health advice as closely as we possibly can so that we can limit the spread of the virus. Stay at home, practice physical distancing, practice hand hygiene, protect each other." "I would like to acknowledge the enormous efforts of healthcare workers caring for patients in hospitals and the community. The best way people can show support for them is by staying at home and observing the guidelines. This keeps everyone safe," Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, HSE said.