LATEST: Five new PUP rates as almost 3,000 more cases of virus confirmed

A further 2,950 people have contracted Covid-19, the Department fo Healthy confirmed this evening.

The number of patients being treated in hospital for the virus now stands at 536, an increase of 33 form yesterday. Of these, 110 are being cared for in ICU.

The latest cases where confirmed as the Department of Social Protection announced the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will have five rates when it reopens to new entrants laid off as a result of the latest restrictions from tomorrow.

The top rate will be €350 and will be available to those earning €400 or more a week.

Those who received wages between €300 and €399 prior to being laid off will be entitled to €300.

There will be a €250 rate payable to those who were earning €200-€299, and €203 to those in the €151.50-€200 bracket.

And a new rate of €150 will be paid to those who had previously been earning less than €151.50.