The latest coronavirus figures in the Republic of Ireland have shown 22 more people diagnosed with the virus have died, bringing the total number of deaths here to 120.
It brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths here to 120, and represents the highest number of deaths in a day to date.
Meanwhile, new 424 cases have been confirmed today - meaning the total number of cases here here now stands at 4,273.
18 of today's deaths were recorded in the east, three in the south and one in the west of the country.
The patients included 11 females and 11 males, while 16 of those who died were reported as having underlying health conditions.
The median age of today’s reported deaths is 80.
The latest #COVID19 figures in the Republic of Ireland have shown 22 more people diagnosed with the virus have died, bringing the total number of deaths here to 120: https://t.co/LLFw9NLhOL pic.twitter.com/CQ9536acxk
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 3, 2020
Meanwhile, data covering the cases confirmed as of Wednesday midnight shows 148 cases have been admitted to ICU, while 948 cases (26% of all confirmed cases as of Wednesday) are associated with healthcare workers.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan today said officials are concerned about the number of coronavirus clusters in nursing homes.
Following a meeting of the National Health Emergency Team today, he said: "We have identified a range of measures, working with the HSE.
"We need to see continuous actions being taken to reduce the risk of transmission in nursing home and long-term residential facilities."
The HSE is now contacting each individual nursing home in the country, with infection control training set to be provided to staff in the country's nursing homes.
Health officials are continuing to urge anyone aged over 70 to remain at home, and to call on family or friends for any essential food and prescription shopping.
Separately, Northern Ireland today reported 12 COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total there to 48.
The total number of deaths on the island of Ireland now stands at 168.
904 people have tested positive for the virus in the North, with 130 new cases reported today.
