LATEST: 326 new cases of virus as Taoiseach warns of city-wide lockdowns

There has been no further coronavirus related deaths but 326 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

The overall death toll as a result of the virus remains at 1,797. There are now 34,315 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The breakdown of the latest cases are as follows: 152 cases are in Dublin, 32 in Cork, 22 in Donegal, 21 in Galway, 15 in Meath, 11 in Kildare, 9 in Kerry, 8 in Louth, 8 in Westmeath, 6 in Limerick, 6 in Mayo, 6 in Tipperary and 5 in Wexford, with the remaining 25 cases in 8 other counties.

The latest cases were confirmed after Taoiseach Micheál Martin earlier warned of more city-wide lockdowns where urban centres are subjected to strict restrictions while surrounding rural areas are allowed remain unaffected.

The Taoiseach said there was “rising concern” over the rising rate of Covid-19 infections in Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Dublin is already subjected to a three week lockdown in a bid to slash virus numbers. A three-week lockdown also came into effect for the entire county of Donegal from midnight.

The Taoiseach said: “First of all we have an opportunity to avoid those areas going to Level Three at all if we adhere to the public health guidance – reduce congregations, reduce the number of social contacts and wear masks in shops and on public transport.

“NPHET will advise us in terms of any restrictions that may have to come in for other areas. They are concerned about urban centres – Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford – particularly as universities and institutes of technology reopen in the coming weeks.

“That is a concern – where you have high density populations the virus can thrive in such situations.”