53 new cases today, but source known in over 90%

Roscommon has now gone four weeks without a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Numbers released tonight show that of Friday, July 31, there were 346 cases to date in Roscommon, the same figure as reported for the past 28 days.

It's the longest COVID-free period in the country.

However, elsewhere figures tonight show that there were 53 new cases reported by midnight on Saturday.

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

There has been a total of 1,763 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

There is now a total of 26,162 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today:

27 are men and 26 are women

80% are under 45 years of age

45 are associated with outbreaks or close contacts of a confirmed case

4 cases have been identified as community transmission

25 cases are located in Dublin, 19 in Laois, 6 in Kildare and the remaining 3 are spread across two other 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.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said:

"The source of transmission for over 90% of cases reported today has been identified. This is a positive development in light of the number of cases reported over the past few days.

"However, our five day average for cases reported is now 47. We all need to continue to adopt a prevention mindset and continue making good choices to protect ourselves and others while trying to live safely with COVID-19.

"People are still susceptible, this virus has not changed. We know how to break the chains of transmission. Let’s stay the course by physically distancing, washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering where appropriate, avoiding crowds and doing all we can to protect each other."