Another huge increase in Covid-19 cases as 1,620 confirmed, 12 more deaths

Ireland has registered another 1,620 new cases of Covid-19.

Tragically, 12 other people have tragically lost their lives.

The latest figures were released during a press conference with the National Public Health Emergency Team this afternoon.

Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan and his group of medical experts spoke to the press for the first time since Ireland entered its third shutdown.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin sank the country back to Level Five after advice from the team, which is becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number of cases and hospitals.

Experts are also concerned about new variants of the virus in the UK and South Africa, the former of which has already been confirmed in the Republic.

Speaking to the nation on Wednesday, Martin said: “Just eight days ago, I stood here and explained why we needed to introduce a series of strict new controls in the effort to curb this latest wave of Covid infections.”

“I explained to him that while at that time we had no evidence that the most virulent new strain of Covid was in our country, the safest and most responsible thing was to proceed assuming it was already here.

“Unfortunately, that fear turned out to be correct.”

For more details, follow our live blog dedicated to Covid-19.