Five further COVID-19 patients have died and 248 new cases have been confirmed.

It takes the death toll in Ireland to 1,802 and the national total number of cases to 34,560.

Three previously confirmed cases have been denotified.

As of 8am this morning, there were 103 people in hospital with the virus, with 19 in intensive care.

Of the 88,079 tests carried out in the past week, 2.8% came back positive.

104 of the new cases are in Dublin with 37 in Donegal, 36 in Cork, eight in Kildare and eight in Westmeath.

Kilkenny, Laois and Offaly all account for six while Longford, Monaghan and Wexford all account for five.

The rest are spread across 11 other counties.

Donegal has today joined Dublin on Level Three coronavirus restrictions - with restaurants, pubs and cafes to close – except for delivery, takeaway and outdoor dining.

Dr Glynn said more counties could follow; however, he said there is “nothing inevitable” about it and urged people to work together to turn the tide on the virus.

It comes after Northern Ireland reported its highest daily COVID-19 figure since the outbreak began.

Health officials said 319 new cases of the virus have been confirmed while one further death has been reported.

The 7-day rate of the virus per 100,000 people in Derry City and Strabane now sits at 195.8 – the highest rate in the six counties.