Fourteen more people have died from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland and 294 new cases have been diagnosed today.

All 14 deaths were located in the east of the country and the median age of today's reported deaths is 81.

There have now been 36 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland.

There are now 2,415 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Republic.

The significantly stronger measures to boost the fight against Covid-19 came into effect at midnight last night, and include people only being allowed to leave home for essential work, to buy food, or for certain vital reasons such as attending medical appointments. 

Shielding or 'cocooning' for all those over 70 years of age and certain categories of people who are vulnerable to Covid-19 is also being introduced.

Earlier today, the Minister for Health Simon Harris has said the current measures introduced by the Government were "as tough as it can get".  

But he said they were brought in to save lives.  

However, he said the measures were so restrictive and so challenging that he was not sure they could be sustained for much longer than the two weeks already signalled by the Government.

Mr Harris said he would hope to see a reduction in our reliance on intensive care beds within ten days to two weeks.

He said the measures would be evaluated on Easter Sunday but he said everything was "not going to be fine" in two weeks' time. 

The Minister said he would be signing the regulations giving effect to the legislation which gives gardaí stronger powers to enforce the restrictions, tomorrow morning.

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