The HSE will look to test 4,500 people a day.
Testing for the coronavirus should double this week in Ireland, after the HSE announced its capacity to test for the virus will rise to 4,500 tests a day.
Thus far, there have been almost five-thousand confirmed cases of the virus here and 158 people have lost their lives.
While there are now 57 clusters in nursing homes and 165 patients have been admitted to the ICU.
Cillian de Gascun from the National Virus Reference Laboratory believes it may be premature to lift restrictions until testing improves.
''We are not where we want to be from the pint of view of testing'', he said.
''So until we can get our testing back to the level where we want to be, it might be premature to lift restrictions when the testing isn't in a position that completely and accurately descries the circulation of the virus in the community''.
Taoiseach rejoins medical register.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has re-joined the medical register amid the spread of Covid-19 and will do one shift a week to help out during the crisis.
Regina Doherty, Social Protection Minister believes it’s a good thing to do.
''He's doing telephone assessments for people who call with initial symptoms to determine whether they get sent for tests or not'', she said.
''If he has time to spare on a Sunday that helps the entire country with everything we're going through, as well everything else he's doing as Taoiseach, fair play to him, hats off.''
