Nearly 200 people have been admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 symptoms.

The death toll in the Republic has risen to 210, after 36 further COVID-19 patients were confirmed dead yesterday.

Some 24 people were reported as having underlying health conditions.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases has risen by 345 to 5,709.

Over 65% of those admitted to the ICU have been over the age of 55, while a quarter are between the ages of 45 and 55.

Meanwhile, there are now 270 clusters of the virus around the country, involving 1,103 cases.

As of April 4th, there were 67 in nursing homes, 45 in hospitals and 32 in residential homes.

Nearly a quarter of the countries confirmed cases have been admitted to hospital with their symptoms.

More than half are women and around one quarter (1,388) are healthcare workers.

Dublin has by far the highest number of cases, with 55%, followed by Cork with 7%.

Meanwhile, the number of tests coming back as positive continues to rise as the HSE tightens its guidelines for who should qualify for a test.

As of last night, 42,484 tests have been carried out across the country.

Over 12,000 of these were carried out in week to Monday April 6th.

The positivity rate over that seven-day period hit 18% - up 4% on the previous seven days.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris inspecting the 319 new Gardaí at an Attestation Ceremony at the Garda Training College in Templemore, 20-03-2020. Image: Mark Condren/RollingNews

Gardaí are today launching a major operation aimed at stopping people form travelling over the Easter weekend.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the country’s fight against COVID-19 depends on “people staying at home and following public health advice.”

“There have been unprecedented sacrifices made across society in recent weeks to protect all people on this island from COVID-19.

“We urge the public, on this Easter holiday with sunshine and isolation fatigue, to stay the course and comply with the recommendations and measures in place. Stay at home and keep Ireland safe.

“COVID-19 is in our households, not only our nursing homes. It is in our community. Do the right thing. Spread the message not the virus.”

The death toll on the island of Ireland currently stands at 283 after three more deaths were recorded in the Orth yesterday.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases on the island is now 6,964.