Covid-19: Six further deaths, 183 new cases confirmed in Ireland

The total number of cases confirmed in Ireland since the outbreak began is now 73,228. File Picture: PA

Six further deaths from Covid-19 have been confirmed this evening by the Department of Health.

The newest figures bring the total number of Covid-19 related deaths here to 2,080.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) also confirmed 183 new cases of the virus here.

The total number of cases confirmed in Ireland since the outbreak began is now 73,228.

Of the cases reported today: 

• 82 are men; 
• 101 are women; 
• 60% are under 45 years of age; 
• The median age is 36 years old; 
• 56 are located in Dublin; 
• 26 are in Donegal; 
• 13 are in Limerick; 
• 11 are in Kilkenny; 
• 11 in Monaghan; 
• and the remaining 66 cases are spread across 15 other counties.

Fewer than five of today's new confirmed cases are located in Cork. 

The national 14-day incidence rate of the virus now stands at 79.7 per 100,000 people.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan again urged the public to remain vigilant and to adhere to public health advice. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

As of 2pm this afternoon, 239 people were hospitalised with the virus - 32 of whom are in intensive care units.

Ten additional hospitalisations have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Speaking at this evening's briefing, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the population will need to remain vigilant throughout the duration of level 3 restrictions, and after any vaccine rollout begins. 

He said: "Even if we find ourselves in the situation of being able to offer a vaccine to the population in January, it will start with a focus on particular groups.

"For the rest of the population, we’ll have to maintain a high level of compliance with public health guidance."

The HPSC says validation of data has resulted in the denotification of 21 previously confirmed cases. 

The figure of 73,228 confirmed cases above reflects these denotifications.