A FURTHER 16 people have passed away after contracting coronavirus in Ireland, the Department of Health have confirmed.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) were yesterday notified that a further 16 people have sadly passed away after contracting the virus, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 1,561.
An additional 51 new cases of the virus have also been confirmed as of 6pm Tuesday, 19 May, the lowest daily rise since March.
There have now been 24,251 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.
The Department of Health have ramped up testing as of late, broadening definition of symptoms and receiving more referrals from GPs.
In the past week alone, 36,818 tests were carried out, with just 932 returning positive-- a positivity rate of 2.5%.
Dr Cillian De Gascun, Chair of the NPHET Expert Advisory Group, says the small positivity rate indicates the virus is successfully being eradicated across the country.
Despite broadening the case definition and increases in referrals the positivity rate has continued to decline. This indicates a consistent suppression of COVID-19 in the community," he said at a press briefing yesterday.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said:
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said:
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