There have been 69 more cases of coronavirus confirmed in the Republic.
29 males and 40 females have tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Health confirmed.
48 are linked with the east of the country, 13 with the south, five with the north/west, and three with the west
It brings the total number of cases here to 292 - with another 62 cases confirmed in Northern Ireland.
354 cases on island of Ireland now. Over 6,600 tests have been carried out in the republic #covid19
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) March 17, 2020
Contact tracing is now underway for all the new cases.
In a statement, Dr Tony Holohan - Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health - said: “Cooperation across the health service has never been more important and I would like to thank our colleagues in their ongoing efforts to help us to prepare for and limit the spread of COVID-19.”
Earlier today, the HSE launched a major recruitment drive to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
#OurHealthService is preparing to care for people affected by #COVID19. We are asking healthcare workers not currently working in the public health service to register to be on call to help. #ItsInOurHands #COVID19Ireland https://t.co/P3wERCea25 pic.twitter.com/oryqlKRbZG
— HSE Ireland (@HSELive) March 17, 2020
All healthcare professionals who are not registered with the health service are being urged to be "on call for Ireland".
Anyone who has retired within the last five years will be able to return to work in the health service as it deals with the outbreak.
Health Minister Simon Harris said it needs all hands on deck, saying "your country needs you" to nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants and all healthcare professionals as the drive was launched.
