The Government has said that ‘stockpiling’ has dropped by nearly a quarter since its peak in mid-March.

The figure was revealed in a new online survey to be carried out by the Department of Health twice a week for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

It found that the percentage of people stockpiling has dropped from a peak of 43% when the COVID-19 restrictions were first announced in mid-March to 20% today.

It suggests that 86% of adults in Ireland believe the current restrictions are “about right” as the country battles the virus.

Meanwhile, nearly 70% or respondents said they have been interacting with family and friends over the phone during the lockdown.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan at the nightly COVID-19 statement in the Department of Health, Dublin, 03-04-2020. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

“Our research shows overall level of worry remains high at 7 out of 10 but has not increased significantly since the middle of March, despite the introduction of more restrictive measures, said Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan.

Last night, Dr Holohan announced 16 more deaths related to the virus, bringing the total in the Republic to 174.

Meanwhile, there are now 5,364 confirmed cases here.

With 70 deaths and 1,158 confirmed cases in the North, the death toll on the island of Ireland is 244 with 6,522 confirmed cases north and south.

In the Republic, more than a quarter of COVID-19 patients have been hospitalised with 169 people taken to intensive care.

Some 54% of patients are women and more than a quarter are health care workers.

The median age of confirmed cases is 49-years-old, while the average age of those who have died from the virus is now 81-years-old.

Dublin is home to more than half of the cases with 2,692, while Cork has the second highest number with 362.