The Department of Health has confirmed that two more people with Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 1,715.It has also been notified of 22 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 25,374 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Republic.

The number of confirmed cases in Donegal has dropped from 470 to 464 after six were reassigned to another county.

In Northern Ireland, one further coronavirus-related death has been recorded, taking the official Department of Health death toll to to 545.

No new cases have been diagnosed in the region today, so the total number of cases remains at 4,866.

Sixteen people with confirmed cases of Covid-19 remain in intensive care units in Irish hospitals, down from 160 confirmed cases in ICU in early April.

Eight patients are in ICU with suspected cases of the virus.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said; “Of the 22 confirmed cases we are reporting to you today, 9 of these were diagnosed in people under the age of 35. It is important for us all to remember that COVID-19 is a disease that can affect everyone, of any age or background. No one should feel that this is a disease that does not affect them.”

“This virus is highly infectious and, as a result, the return of widespread community transmission remains a very real risk. To protect us all, especially our oldest and most vulnerable, personal preventative behaviours such as good and frequent hand washing, social distancing and respiratory etiquette remain as crucial as they were at the outset of this crisis.”