BREAKING: 28 Covid-19 related deaths among 3,955 new cases of virus

There have been 28 Covid-19 related deaths recorded this evening, while 3,955 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed.

It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 2,460. There have now been 163,144 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The Health Service Executive also confirmed a total of 77,303 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered up to yesterday.

169 people are receiving intensive care treatment out of a total of 1,789 in hospital due to Covid-19.

Of the 208 people who have been reported to have died from COVID-19 so far this month, 23 cases have been linked to outbreaks in hospitals and 38 with outbreaks in Nursing Homes. The ages of those who have died range from 25 to 98 years.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “Every death associated with COVID-19 is a tragedy.

“We must cut our social contacts in order to break the chains of transmission and protect those who are most vulnerable to this disease.

“Stay at home and save lives,” Dr Holohan concluded.

The breakdown of the latest cases is as follows: 1,210 are in Dublin, 456 in Cork, 235 in Louth, 221 in Meath, 218 in Limerick, and the remaining 1,615 cases are spread across all other counties, including a further 43 cases in Kilkenny.