The acting chief medical officer has expressed particular concern about the rising incidence of COVID-19 in four counties.

Dr Ronan Glynn is urging people living in Cork, Galway, Roscommon and Monaghan to follow public health advice.

"I am asking everyone, but particularly those living and working in Cork, Galway, Monaghan and Roscommon, to adhere to the public health advice. There is still time to get the virus back under control in these areas, break the chains of transmission and stop the spread of this highly infectious disease in these communities," he commented.

Dr Glynn made his comments on Monday evening after a further 390 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. Of these cases, 209 cases were in Dublin, 27 in Cork, 22 in Donegal, 21 in Galway, 14 in Kildare, 14 in Monaghan and seven in Roscommon.

This brings the total number of cases here to 35,377. No new deaths were reported, leaving the total number of deaths at 1,802.

"We know the key actions to take to stay safe. By keeping a two-metre distance, reducing your social contacts, wearing a face mask, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home and contacting your GP if you start to feel unwell, you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself and those around you," Dr Glynn said.

Also speaking after the figures were released, healthcare worker, Jerick Martin, explained how he was a fit and healthy man in his 30s, who had to be admitted to hospital within five days of experiencing his first symptoms of COVID-19.

He then spent the next 68 days in ICU. For most of that time, he was on a ventilator in an induced coma.

"This disease does not care that you are young, fit and healthy. It does not care that you have a family who are waiting for you to come home. Anyone can catch it, and anyone can become very sick," he said.

Meanwhile, the president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Lorna Fitzpatrick, acknowledged that this is a "really difficult time" for young people, but she insisted that students have a key role to play in keeping their communities safe.

"My message to students is to keep the public health guidelines in mind when you are making plans and decisions about where to go and who to see.

"Also, it is so important to take care of your mental health at this time. Make sure you are reaching out to friends and family on the phone, online and in small, safe ways in person. Remember that talking to others and asking for help when you need it is essential at the moment," she said.

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Health has found that the level of worry about COVID-19 now stands at 6.7 out of 10, which is similar to the level of worry that was expressed back in April.

The main sources of worry for people are the health system overloading, the health of family and friends, and the state of the economy.

Some 51% of people think that the worst of the pandemic is ahead, while 54% think there should be more restrictions in place.

The research was carried out on 1,650 people on September 28.

For more information on the restrictions in place in your county, click here.