A further three patients have died from COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the Republic, bringing the total number of deaths here to 22.

According to the Department of Health, two females in the east and one person in the north west have died.

A further 302 new cases have also been confirmed today, bringing the total to 2,121.

Three more deaths were also confirmed in Northern Ireland today, bringing the total to 13 there. The number of confirmed cases has risen by 34 to 275.

Meanwhile, Italy has experienced its highest daily death toll, with 919 deaths occurring today, bringing its total number of deaths to 9,134. There are now over 86,000 confirmed cases of the virus in Italy.

Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre shows that of the 1,639 cases reported to it as of midnight on March 25, 54% are male and 46% female.

The average age of confirmed cases is 46 years and overall, 419 people have been hospitalised. Of these, 59 have been admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Almost one in four cases are associated with healthcare workers and Dublin has the highest number of cases overall - 922 - which is 56% of the country's total.

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.

People are advised to stay at home as much as possible, only leaving the house to:
-Go to work if you have to. Work from home if you can
-Go to the shops for basic necessities, for example food and medicine
-To care for others
-To exercise.

However, when out, social distancing should be practised at all times - staying two metres away from others.

People are also reminded to:
-Wash their hands properly and often
-Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, or cough and sneeze into their elbow
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

For more information on COVID-19, click here.