22 further deaths and 424 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland.

The Department of Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team released the latest figures on Friday evening.

There have now been 120 deaths from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland, while the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 4,273.

#COVID19 #Coronavirus Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team The HPSC has today been informed that 22 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died.

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) April 3, 2020

Earlier on Friday, the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland reported that a further 12 patients had died and 130 new cases of coronavirus had been confirmed. There have now been 48 deaths from Covid-19 and 904 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland.

“We are concerned with the number of clusters identified in nursing homes. We have identified a range of measures, working with the HSE. We need to see continuous actions being taken to reduce the risk of transmission in nursing home and long-term residential facilities," Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said.

"We are now facing into the end of week one of new measures. It has been a tough adjustment but these efforts save lives. We will continue to protect vulnerable groups against this virus, by staying home and following public health advice. These efforts result in lives saved," Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said.

“Anyone over 70 years of age should remain cocooned as per public health advice, and for essential food and prescription shopping, call on family, friends or services to help you. Over 70’s should not be leaving home.”

“There is now a clear picture of more severe illness in older people. This underlines the importance of our advice on cocooning and requires all of us to support any vulnerable people who find themselves in isolation," Dr. Colm Henry, Clinical Chief Officer, HSE, said.