A further 15 people with COVID-19 have died in the Republic.

Six deaths that had previously been classed as COVID-related have been denotified, so the number of deaths now stands at 1,467.

Meanwhile, 139 new cases of the virus have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases here to 23,135.

Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre shows that of the 22,894 cases reported to it as of midnight on May 9, 2,998 have been hospitalised and of these, 383 have been admitted to ICU.

Some 6,834 cases are associated with healthcare workers.

"As we approach May 18th, the next date highlighted in the Government's roadmap, we continue to monitor key parameters associated with COVID-19. These include the number of new cases, numbers admitted to hospital and currently in ICU, and the number of deaths.

"While 43% of the population believe the worst of this pandemic is behind us, the virus is still circulating, the risk is still there in our communities. The health service will continue to prepare and respond to the virus and the public are asked to stay the course and keep up the progress we have made," commented the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan.

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 2km of your home. From May 5, people can exercise within 5km of their 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 from 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.