BREAKING: Lowest number of daily cases of virus since December

Two more people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 303 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

The overall death toll as a result of the virus has now reached 4,785. There has been a total of 240,945 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: “There are many reasons for hope as we head into a new week. This is the lowest number of daily cases reported since mid December. People’s efforts continue to make a real difference; by keeping our social contacts low we are making it much harder for Covid-19 to spread.

“This morning we had the lowest number of people newly hospitalised with Covid-19 since the end of November. Last week the millionth vaccine was given and this week should see a step-change in the number of doses administered. All of our children are going back to school tomorrow. From tomorrow we can travel within our county.”