A further 10 people with COVID-19 have died in the Republic, the lowest daily reported figure here since last March.

One death that had previously been classed as COVID-related has been denotified, so the number of deaths now stands at 1,497.

Meanwhile, 159 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases here to 23,401.

Sixty-four people with confirmed COVID-19 are currently in ICU.

Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre shows that of the 23,144 cases reported to it as of midnight on May 11, 3,050 (13%) have been hospitalised and of these, 389 have been admitted to ICU.

Some 6,997 cases are associated with healthcare workers.

According to the Department of Health's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, 84% of people who have been diagnosed with the virus have recovered.

"We have been provided with additional data today regarding cases with underlying health conditions. Of 15,450 cases, where information is available, 53% had at least one underlying condition. The most common underlying conditions reported are chronic heart disease (15%), chronic respiratory disease (11%) and diabetes (6%)," Dr Glynn explained.

Meanwhile, the department's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, again reminded people to maintain behaviours aimed at reducing the spread of the virus.

"I would urge everyone to become familiar with the behaviours that we all need to maintain, including respiratory etiquette, physical distancing and handwashing. As we begin to think about easing restrictions, these behaviours will become even more important," he commented.

COVID-19 is spread through close contact with an infected person's body fluids (e.g. droplets from coughing or sneezing), or by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on. It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of the virus to show. These may include a fever, a persistent cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

COVID-19 can also cause more severe illnesses, including pneumonia and severe breathing difficulties. Some 80% of cases will be mild to moderate, 14% will be more severe, while 6% will be critical.

The current restrictions in relation to COVID-19 are now in place until May 18. As part of these restrictions, everybody is asked to stay at home, except in specific circumstances. These include:
-Travelling to and from work in circumstances where the work is an essential health, social care or other essential service that cannot be done from home
-To shop for essential food and household goods
-To attend medical appointments
-For vital family reasons, such as caring for children or elderly people
-To take brief individual exercise within your locality, which may include children from your household, however this should be within 5km of your home.

All public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a single household or living unit are prohibited.

Those over the age of 70 and medically vulnerable people continue to be cocooned, however since May 5, those over the age of 70 can leave their home for exercise, as long as they stay within 5km of their home and socially distance themselves from everybody.

ALONE, the organisation that supports older people to age at home, is running a national support line for older people facing difficulties due to COVID-19. The support line is open every day from 8am to 8pm, call 0818 222 024.

For more information on COVID-19, click here.