The Department of Health have confirmed that there is 40 new cases of coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland.

Among the 40 new Covid-19 cases, 23 are males and 17 are females.

25 are associated with the east of the country, nine are associated with the west and six are associated with the south.

Contact tracing is now under way by the HSE.

11 new positive cases where also recorded in Northern Ireland today.

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Department of Health said: "As of 2pm on Sunday 15 March, testing has resulted in 11 new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 45.

"People with mild symptoms - new persistent cough and/or fever - should stay at home and self-isolate for seven days. They will not require testing.

"Protocols on case reporting are being updated. Further information will be provided shortly."

Earlier today, the NI Department of Health said they were receiving an increased number of calls due to coronavirus concerns.

The Government made the call in a statement following a meeting with the Licenced Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Members of the public are asked not to organise or participate in any parties in private houses or other venues which, the Government says, would put other peoples' health at risk.

The statement said that while the majority of the public and pub owners are behaving responsibly, it believes that all pubs should be closed in advance of St Patrick's Day.

Government calls on all public houses and bars, including hotel bars, to close from this evening until at least 29 March

Italy has recorded 368 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, its highest one-day increase to date, taking the total to 1,809, the most outside China, official data showed.

The number of infections has reached 24,747, a count released to the media by Italy's civil protection service said.

The northern Lombardy region around Milan remained the European epicentre of the pandemic, officially reporting 1,218 deaths, or 67% of the Italian total.

But today also saw the number of deaths in the southeastern Puglia region around the city of Bari double from eight to 16.

The Lazio region that includes the Italian capital Rome has officially recorded 16 deaths in all - up from 13 yesterday - and 436 infections.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that Mr Coveneny held talks with his Spanish counterpart as well as the Chief Executives of Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

Mr Coveney said: "My Spanish Foreign Affairs and Transport counterparts have assured me that Spanish airports remain open and the country is not bringing about a flight ban. They further assure me that Spanish airspace remains open for Irish airlines to bring citizens home. I reaffirmed Ireland's solidarity with Spain at this difficult time and thanked their frontline authorities for dealing with this unprecedented challenge"

He also said that the Government has agreed a plan with both Ryanair and Aer Lingus to bring Irish tourists home from Spain.

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