The Republic has had several days over the past few weeks with no new deaths in a 24-hour period, the last being on 22 June where there were no deaths reported both north and south of the border.
On 22 June, the Republic identified no deaths and just six new cases-- the lowest figure since the pandemic took hold in mid-March.
However, while figures have been dropping steadily for a number of weeks, new cases appear to be on the rise again, and yesterday the Republic identified 24 new cases, bringing the total umber of confirmed coronavirus cases to 25,462.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health, warned against complacency, especially as restrictions are beginning to be lifted, and admitted there appeared to be a "worrying trend" emerging.
"We are starting to see a worrying trend, with the number of reported cases increasing, and some new clusters," he told a press conference yesterday evening.
"As restrictions are lifted and people move about more, it’s important that we use the tools that have helped us suppress the virus to date.
"Hand washing, physical distancing, cough/sneeze hygiene and wearing face coverings are important personal behaviours that mean, as we go about our daily lives, that we are doing everything we can to avoid contracting the virus and spreading it to those we love."
Dublin, Ireland (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)Six of the 24 new cases have been imported from travellers abroad, Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health said.
"Today we are reporting at least six cases associated with international travel.
"Many countries around the world are still experiencing high and increasing levels of this disease. Last week, there were over 1.1 million cases reported and there have now been over 10 million cases reported globally to date.
"The risk of imported cases remains high. It’s important that we continue to avoid all unnecessary travel at this time."
Dr Siobhán Kennelly, HSE National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Older Persons, said that while "socialising is important for your mental and physical wellbeing", it's also important to remain safe while doing so, especially as the elderly and vulnerable are no longer cocooning and are more at risk at contracting the virus.
She advised: "Wear a face covering, know the symptoms of COVID-19 and contact your GP straight away if you feel unwell."
There has been a further increase in citizens wearing face coverings in public spaces, new research from the Department of Health, with 45% of the population now report to be wearing one when they are in public.
A third of people believe we are trying to return to normal too fast.
