Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal moved to Level Four restrictions

Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal are to be placed on Level Four restrictions from midnight tomorrow (Thursday), the cabinet has agreed in the last hour.

A nationwide ban on household visits will also come into effect, except on compassionate grounds and for essential reasons, such as childcare.

The move comes as the Republic reported a record number of new Coronavirus cases in a single day - with 1,095 confirmed cases; 128 of them in County Cavan alone.

In the past few minutes, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said live on RTÉ: "The picture emerging in Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan is very worrying."

In the 14 days to October 13, Cavan has recorded 435 new cases of the virus, translating to an incidence rate of 571 per 100,000 of population, the highest in the country in the past fortnight. The national average is 190.7.

The startling number relates to figures notified to the HPSC as of midnight Tuesday, October 13. Across the Republic the numbers breached 1,000 again, with 1,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and a further five deaths from the virus.

Mr Martin said that people in Ireland "will make it through this pandemic if we continue to adhere to the rules and we all work together."

NOW READ: LEVEL 4: What it means.

Aside from the Cavan figures, the 1,095 confirmed cases included 246 in Dublin, 185 in Meath, 118 in Cork, 63 in Kildare and the remaining 342 cases spread across all remaining counties in the Republic. The cumulative total is 45,243* cases and 1,835 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.

Of the cases notified today 70% are under 45 years of age and the median age is 31 years old. As of 2pm today 232 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU; with nine additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “Today, we again report a daily new confirmed case figure over 1,000. This situation is extremely concerning. Every single one of us has a role to play.

“We each need to reduce contact with other people as much as possible, so that means staying at home, working from home where possible, practicing physical distancing and stopping discretionary socialising.”

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said; “People must now make choices. Stop meeting up in groups, stop socialising, stop organising play dates, parties and other social activities. People must recognise that the disease is a direct threat to themselves and their families. Now is the time for each of us to act.”

What does Level 4 in the Republic look like?

You cannot leave your county apart from work, education and other essential purposes. Only essential or other designated workers should go to work.

You are not allowed to have visitors to your home or garden. All social and family gatherings should take place in other settings.

All organised indoor gatherings are banned. Outdoor gatherings of up to 15 people can take place.

Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will close.

Gyms, pools and leisure centres will close.

Only six people are allowed at weddings and 25 at funerals.

Capacity on public transport is reduced to 25%.

Schools and childcare will remain open with protective measures in place.