A further 14 COVID-19 patients have died in the Republic of Ireland, bringing the total to 85.
The Department of Health has also confirmed 212 new cases of the virus, bringing the total in the country to 3,447.
BREAKING: Sadly a further 14 people have died from #Covid19 in the Republic. A further 212 cases confirmed too. It brings the death toll to 85, while the number of confirmed cases now stands at 3,447
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) April 1, 2020
The country’s Deputy Chief Medical Official Dr Ronan Glynn said seven men and seven women were among the dead – with 10 in the east of the country and four in the south.
He said eight of the patients had underlying health conditions.
Dr Glynn was standing in for Chief Medical Official Dr Tony Holohan who has been undergoing tests in hospital today.
The tests are not believed to be related to COVID-19.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan at a COVID-19 press briefing at Government Buildings in Dublin, 24-03-2020. Image: Steve Humphreys/PA Wire/PA ImagesDr Glynn said the median age of the 85 patients who have died in Ireland so far is 82-years-old.
Meanwhile, the average age of people diagnosed with the virus is 48-years-old.
As of midnight on Monday, more Irish women had been confirmed with the virus than men.
Dublin accounts for 55% of the confirmed cases around the country, with Cork coming in second with 8%.
Some 60% of the cases were picked up in the community in Ireland, with 20% picked up through contact with a known case and 18% picked up while travelling abroad.
Nearly a third of all confirmed COVID-19 cases have been hospitalised with some 126 of them requiring intensive care.
Healthcare workers now make up a quarter of all known cases.
Dr Cillian De Gascun, Chair of the COVID-19 Expert Advisory Group (Front) with Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn (Centre) and Dr Colm Henry at the COVID-19 briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team, 01-04-2020. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNewsDr Glynn said new research has found that 65% of Irish people are using technology to keep up with family and friends.
Meanwhile, nine-in-ten people support the social distancing measures that are in place and 95% of them are confident in their ability to follow them.
“People are taking action to look after their wellbeing,” he said. “Two thirds of people are conversing with family and friend’s by using phone and internet.”
“Restrictions do not mean you stop maintaining your relationships or your health. Adapt your hobbies; go for walks, exercise and do the things that maintain wellbeing within the limits of physical distancing and public health advice.
“I can confirm that expanded contact tracing for all confirmed cases for the 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms, as decided by National Public Health Emergency Team will commence this week. This will reduce transmission of the virus.”
