BREAKING: First Irish person dies of Covid-19 in hospital in east of the country

The first person to die of Covid-19 / coronavirus has passed away in the east of the country.

It's the first fatality directly associated with the virus since the first cases in Ireland were confirmed ten days ago.

The female patient died earlier today in a hospital in the east of the country, where she being treated in recent days.

It's understood she was an older person and had an underlying illness before contracting Covid-19.

Both the HSE and the Department of Health declined to officially comment on whether the deceased was a patient at Naas General Hospital.

Up to now, the HSE and the Department of Health have observed strict patient confidentiality rules by only giving the gender of a patient, the region in which they are based, and how they contracted the virus.

A statement issued at 4pm from the National Health Emergency Team said: "The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland has passed.

 "This is the first recorded death relating to COVID-19 reported in Ireland."

 Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said:

 "I would like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this patient.

 "I urge the media and the public to respect their privacy at this difficult time.

 "We continue our efforts to interrupt the transmission of this virus. It will take all of us, collectively to succeed. Please continue to follow public health advice."

Up to last night, were were 34 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

1,784 people have been tested for Covid-19 in Ireland up to Monday of this week.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre said on Tuesday that it was informed of 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland:

• One male, a healthcare worker, in the south of the country, associated with hospital transmission
• One female, a healthcare worker, in the east of the country, possible hospital transmission
• Three males, in the south of the country, associated with travel from an affected area
• One male, in the west of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case
• One female, in the west of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case
• One female, in the south of the country, associated with close contact with a confirmed case
• One male, in the east of the country, associated with travel from an affected area
• One female, in the east of the country, associated with travel from an affected area

The HSE said it is working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had, to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.