Taoiseach says upsurge in coronavirus cases in Republic of Ireland 'deeply concerning'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the increase in cases in the Republic of Ireland is deeply concerning.

The Irish premier has expressed “deep concern” at an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s comments come after 200 new cases on Saturday – the highest daily rise there since the start of May. There have been a further 66 cases of Covid-19 reported on Sunday.

Mr Martin, deputy premier Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader and Government minister Eamon Ryan, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and acting chief medical officer Ronan Glynn met on Sunday morning to discuss the situation.

“Yesterday’s #COVID19 numbers were deeply concerning and this morning I discussed the evolving situation with the Tánaiste, Green Party Leader, Health Minister and acting CMO,” Mr Martin tweeted.

He said the Irish Government and the National Public Health Emergency Team would continue to monitor the situation closely.

“It’s essential that we adhere to the public health guidance and maintain social distancing to suppress this virus #HoldFirm,” he added.

The latest cases bring the total number since the outbreak began to 27,257.

There were no further deaths reported on Sunday, with the country's toll of fatalities remaining at 1,774.

Of the new cases reported on Saturday, 68% were people below the age of 45.

Sixty-eight of the cases are associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case, while 25 cases have been identified as having been contracted through community transmission.

Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 57,500 Covid-19 deaths Credit: PA

Kildare, which is one of three counties currently subjected to localised lockdowns, saw the highest number of new infections at 81. Dublin had 56.

After Sunday’s meeting, a Government spokesman said: “The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Green Party leader, Health Minister and acting CMO met this morning to discuss the evolving Covid-19 situation and to examine the recent spike in cases.

“They expressed deep concern at yesterday’s figures. There will be a further analysis of the situation ahead of the Cabinet Committee on Covid, which will meet again on Tuesday.”

The acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) would meet on Monday to discuss the recent spike in cases.