325 new cases
17 more deaths - 13 male, median age 84
Contact tracing has revealed that the average no. of contacts per case has reduced from 20 to 3 since the implementation of social distancing rules

30213 tests performed to date - 15% of those are positive since the tightening of guidelines to at least two clinical indicators.

Analysis of overall cases below:

The data is based on 2,475 confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported up until midnight on Sunday, 28 March.

It shows there are now 111 clusters of infection, involving 428 people.

This includes 21 clusters in hospitals, 24 in private houses, 16 related to travel, one linked to a public house and one linked to a hotel.

The number of Covid-19 cases admitted to intensive care units in Ireland has increased to 103, according to new figures from the HSPC. Over 37% of those in ICU are over 65 years of age.

The NPHET will also review travel measures at airports and ports on the island of Ireland.

Among the key issues for nursing homes, are the availability of sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as oxygen; managing staff and residents who become infected and the movement of staff and others going to and from homes.

To reduce the risk of clusters, or further spread, residents who test positive may be transferred to some of the new facilities for care and isolation.

In relation to travel restrictions, a recommendation to close the border is not expected from the NPHET.

However, some concerns have been expressed by public health experts, such as Dr Gabriel Scally, over the different approaches to managing Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.

Prof Scally called for a harmonisation of measures on the island of Ireland.

In Northern Ireland, self-isolation is for seven days whereas in the Republic, it is for 14 days.

While community testing of defined potential cases continues in the Republic, community testing was halted in Northern Ireland in mid-March.

The NPHET may also recommend increased checks at airports and ports, with measures to ensure people arriving into Ireland follow the self-isolation rules.

This evening, at the planned Department of Health briefing, there will be an update on the latest number of cases.

The briefing will also provide the weekly update on the number of tests conducted and backlogs.

There have been 54 deaths linked to Covid-19 in the country, with 2,910 confirmed cases of the virus.

However, the actual number of cases is likely to be higher as new rules introduced last week mean that testing is focused on priority groups.

Those seeking a test must display two major symptoms and fall into a priority testing category

Index of Frank's Diaries