16 MORE people have died after contracting coronavirus in Ireland.
The Department of Health have confirmed that a further 16 people have lost their lives to Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland as of midday, Monday 6 April.
The Health Surveillance Protection Centre (HSPC) have reported that of those 16 people, six women and 10 men, four were reported as having underlying health conditions.
11 of those were being treated in the east of the country, four in the north west and one in the west.
The median age of the newly reported deaths is 78, according to the Department of Health.
Their sad passing brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country to 174, or 244 when combined with the North.
A further 370 cases of Covid-19 have also been confirmed, bringing the Republic's total number of confirmed cases to 5,364-- 6,522 when combined with Northern Ireland.
The HSE is, as usual, working rapidly to trace any close contacts the newly confirmed cases may have had in order to advise them and further slow the spread of the virus.
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, said:
"Our Healthcare system has been preparing for a surge in COVID-19 cases but it is important to remind people that our hospitals continue to carry out all emergency and essential activity.”
His comments come after the Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, expressed concern at the level of empty waiting rooms and beds when he visited hospital last week to undergo tests unrelated to Covid-19.
Speaking at the time, Dr Holohan stressed that people should not ignore signs that they are unwell, such as chest pains or lumps, as hospitals were there to treat everybody and not just coronavirus patients.
