IRELAND'S CORONAVIRUS death toll has surpassed 2,000.
The news was announced yesterday by the Department of Health, when it was revealed that a further 12 people had passed away from the virus.
The new figures brings the number of Coronavirus-related deaths in Ireland to 2,006 since the pandemic began in March.
A further 379 cases of Covid-19 have also been identified within the community, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) announced yesterday, 18 November.
There have now been 69,058 confirmed cases in Ireland.
282 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised,with 33 people in Intensive Care Units, and 22 were hospitalised in the last 24 hours alone.
In a statement, Ireland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan spoke on the sombre milestone reached by the country, stating:
"Today we sadly report over 2,000 deaths associated with COVID-19 to date in this country. This pandemic has impacted, directly and indirectly, on families and communities all across Ireland.
"It is important that we continue to work together if we are to suppress this virus and protect as many people as possible. For the next two weeks, work from home, stay at home and follow public health advice."
Ireland's Level 5 lockdown is succeeding in lowering the average number of daily cases, although not at the speed experts hoped it would.
As of yesterday, Wednesday 18 November, Ireland's 14-Day incidence rate per 100,000 people is 119.9.