LATEST: 1,355 new cases of virus confirmed, decision on booster vaccine for all over 16s imminent

A further 1,355 more people have contracted the coronavirus, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.

And there are now 286 people being treated in hospital for the virus, an increase of 14 on yesterday. Some 59 of these are being treated in ICU, a drop of four.

The latest figures come as the EU’s drug watchdog today said it will decide whether to approve boosters of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for all people aged over 16 early next month.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said a decision on further doses of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for at-risk people and the elderly is due at the same time