A further 14 people diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus) have died in the Republic, bringing the total number of deaths here to 36.

All 14 deaths occurred in the east of the country and the average age of those who died was 81 years.

A further 294 cases of the virus have also been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases here to 2,415.

"Today, we have our highest recorded number of deaths so far. Our condolences are with the family and friends of all patients who have died as a result of COVID-19.

"We thank all citizens who have complied with restrictive measures, who continue to follow public health advice and remain concerned for those around them," commented the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan.

He urged people to "remain focused in our shared efforts to prevent the spread of this infection, to prevent severe illness especially that which requires ICU admission, and ultimately save lives".

Meanwhile, two more deaths were also reported in Northern Ireland earlier today, bringing the total number of deaths there to 15. There are now 324 confirmed cases of the virus in the North.

Overall, the death toll from COVID-19 in the UK has now reached 1,019, after a further 260 people died there today. Over 17,000 people have so far tested positive there.

According to the department's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, the department, the HSE and frontline workers "will continue to take every action against COVID-19".

"But it is each and every one of us individually who has the power to reduce this threat. Stay at home, follow the advice and protect one another," he said.

According to data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, of the 1,904 cases reported to it as of midnight on March 26, 489 of these have been hospitalised and 67 have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU).

Almost one in four cases overall involve healthcare workers and Dublin accounts for 56% of all cases in the country - 1,070 cases.

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.

New restrictions in relation to COVID-19 are now in place until April 12. Until then, everybody is being 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.

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 are also being cocooned. For more information on this, click here.

For more information on COVID-19, click here.