NPHET Not Ruling Out Local Lockdowns, According To The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer   

People living in Kildare, Laois and Offaly are being asked to 'double down' on the public health advice amid concern at the spread of the virus in the 3 counties.

NPHET will issue further guidance to people in the counties today after 226 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed over the past two weeks, while it's expected over 60 new cases will be confirmed there this evening.

Dr Colm Henry says it would be a calamity for the country if we have widespread community transmission again: