Number of Irish Covid-19 cases rises to 21

THE Department of  Health has confirmed three more cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland. 

This brings the total number of cases in the Republic to 24.

The three new cases are: 

A female in the south of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case.

A female in the west of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case.

A female healthcare worker in the south of the country, associated with a confirmed case.

The HSE is now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread, the department said in a statement this evening. 

“While Ireland remains in a containment phase, we will eventually move to delay phase and then on to mitigation phase," Dr. Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said. 

“Containment is about identifying and containing all new cases no matter how mild. The delay phase will focus on minimising the spread of the virus.

"Ultimately, in mitigation phase we prioritise the cases that are most unwell.

“Ultimately all of the decisions we take are focused on limiting the impact of this disease on our population and our health service.” 

Dr. Ronan Glynn, deputy chief medical officer of the Department of Health, added that the are “particularly aware that older people may have additional concerns and worries about the spread of this disease."