Government asked to move entire country to level five

The cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to consider recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NEPHT) to move the entire country to the highest level of Covid restrictions - level five.

RTÉ is reporting that the team sent a letter to Government tonight.

It is expected that the three party leaders in Government will seek a meeting with the Chief Medical Officer, Tony Houlihan, tomorrow (Monday) to discuss the letter.

It's understood A lengthy NPHET meeting held to discuss the deteriorating Covid-19 situation took place this evening.

It was chaired by CMO, Dr Holohan, who has returned to his role having taken time off for personal reasons.

After NPHET, the matter would then have to be considered by the Covid-19 oversight group, the Cabinet Sub-Committee and the full Cabinet, which is due to meet on Tuesday.

At Level 5, the public health risk means that you will be asked to stay at home, except to exercise within five kilometres of your home. There will be no gatherings other than small numbers at funerals and weddings.

The news comes following the release of the latest COVID-19 figures this evening.

There were no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today.

There has now been a total of 1,810 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

As of midnight Saturday, October 3, the HPSC has been notified of 364 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 38,032 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today;

· 195 are men / 168 are women

· 74% are under 45 years of age

· 27% are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case

· 42 cases have been identified as community transmission

· 100 cases are in Dublin, 55 in Cork, 31 in Donegal, 24 in Limerick, 23 in Galway,17 in Clare, 14 in Sligo, 13 in Roscommon, 10 in Kerry, eight each in Tipperary and Wicklow, seven in Kildare, six each in Kilkenny and Offaly, five each in Cavan, Mayo and Meath, with the remaining 27 cases in nine counties.

The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.