COVID-19 UPDATE: A further 37 die as Taoiseach warns restrictions may be extended if public break rules

A further 37 people lost their lives from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland in the last 24 hours, the HSE said this evening.

The total death toll here is now 1,014, including 185 probable deaths, after two deaths that had previously been reported are no longer classified as related to Covid-19.

The number of confirmed cases has now reached 18,184 after another 577 were diagnosed.

The total number of deaths in Northern Ireland has reached 267 after 15 more people died overnight, according to Public Health Agency figures.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned that if people stop following the Covid-19 restrictions they may have to be extended.

Speaking this afternoon at the launch of the Government’s new wellbeing initiative #InThisTogether, he said he was concerned about people becoming more lax about the rules.

“People breaking the rules should bear in mind the consequences … it could be having to extend [lockdown] for two to three weeks.

“We want to be in a position where we can ease restrictions but that is not going to be possible if the virus begins to reproduce at a faster rate,” he said.

“I would really appeal to people [to obey the restrictions] as the next 11 days are going to be crucial.

“I don’t want to be seen as waving a big stick but common sense should prevail. It is a real worry that people are becoming more lax.”