LATEST: 57 new cases of virus as level of infections in Ireland surpasses UK

There has been no further coronavirus related deaths but 57 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

It means the overall number of deaths as a result of the virus remains at 1,772. There are now 26,768 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

One new case of the virus was detected in Kilkenny, where the total number of infections currently stands at 359.

The latest figures were confirmed as it emerged there are now more cases of the virus in Ireland per 100,000 than in the UK.

Figures released today by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) reveals Ireland’s infection rate currently stands at 16.9 cases per 100,000, while the UK’s rate is 16.5.

The increase reflects the significant spike in Covid-19 cases over the past week.