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69 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Ireland today Tuesday 17th March 2020- bringing the total number of cases on the island to 354.

29 male patients and 40 female patients are the latest to be diagnosed with Covid-19.

48 cases are associated with the east of the country, while 13 are associated with the south, five are associated with the northwest and three are associated with the west.

The HSE is now working to trace anyone who may have had contact with the 69 new patients.

292 cases have now been confirmed in the Republic while health chiefs in the North today reported ten new cases, bringing their total to 62. The all-island total of cases now stands at 354.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said we can expect a 30% increase in Covid-19 cases every day

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said it could be expected that there will be 15,000 by the end of the month.

Most will not need to be treated in hospital, he said, but some will require ICU critical care.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended that all Irish residents be advised against all non-essential travel overseas at this time until 29th March

All persons, including Irish residents, entering the country from overseas, should restrict movements for 14 days if asymptomatic.

This does not apply to Northern Ireland at this time, the National Public Health Emergency Team has said.

The restricted movement does not apply to essential categories of supply chain workers like pilots, hauliers and maritime staff, either Irish-based or foreign based.

Croke Park may be used as a Covid-19 drive-thru testing centre, as new figures to be published this evening will show a significant increase in confirmed cases, RTÉ News has learned.

Croke Park authorities have offered it for testing and are in discussions with the HSE, given no matches are being played there.

It is unclear if it will be a by appointment only drive through or a visiting test centre. Local residents have been informed by letter.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee met today and it has been decided to further increase funding for the HSE.

Funding will be used to increase community testing and use facilities in private hospitals.

The HSE has written to retired staff and believes it has secured all of the pool of retirees who are in a position to return to work.First year student nurses may be invited to assist with contact tracing.

A significant increase in the number of confirmed tests is expected this evening.

An Action Plan on Covid-19 is also expected to be published this evening.

Hospitals in several counties have cancelled all non-urgent appointments and elective surgeries until further notice as they prepare for a spike in cases of Covid-19.

The Saolta Hospital Group has said only very urgent appointments, tests and procedures will be carried out at public hospitals across the west and north west, until further notice.

The measures are being implemented to ensure that there is the necessary capacity to deal with any increase in suspected or confirmed coronavirus in the coming weeks.

All non-essential inpatient surgeries, day surgical cases, diagnostic testing and outpatient appointments at public hospitals have been cancelled.

The decision affects cases at University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park University Hospital and Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, Letterkenny Univeristy Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, Sligo University Hospital and Roscommon University Hospital.

Patients are being notified about cancellations today and visiting restrictions remain in place at all the hospitals in question. Anyone who has to attend for an urgent treatment is being asked to travel alone to the hospital if possible, and not to travel if they have respiratory symptoms or fever.

People with symptoms of Covid-19 should ring their GP who will arrange a test if that is what their doctor believes is necessary.

All elective surgery at South Tipperary General Hospital has also been cancelled from today. The hospital, located in Clonmel, said in a statement that patients affected will be contacted directly.

Meanwhile, the outpatients department is reducing the number of clinics, from today, to minimise the spread of infection.

"Some specific clinics will continue and patient will be contacted by hospital to attend," the statement added.

University Hospital Waterford has already advised that outpatient and inpatient activity, including day cases, are being reduced from today and patients are being contacted by the hospital. Visitor restrictions remain in place.