Thirty-six new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, the highest one-day increase recorded for over a month.
It takes the national total to 25,802.
The death toll remains at 1,753 after health officials said no new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.
NEW: 36 more #COVID-19 confirmed cases today. No further deaths recorded. It means there have been 1,753 deaths and 25,802 confirmed cases.
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) July 21, 2020
The acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said people need to “stay the course” if we are to continue to limit the spread of the virus.
“Together, we have achieved so much in our ongoing effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, making it possible to take steps to reopen society and the economy,” he said.
“Today I am asking everyone to stay the course on the public health measures needed to suppress COVID-19 – such as covering coughs, hand washing, use of face coverings and 2m social distancing.
He said the measures are “essential for continuing the momentum towards the reopening of our schools and the resumption of our healthcare services.”
The Department of Health said 574,487 tests had been carried out around the country by midnight on Monday.
Of the 51,128 tests carried out in the past week, 139 returned confirmed cases – giving a positivity rate of 0.27%.
