LATEST: Almost 1,500 new cases of virus but hospital numbers stabilise

A further 1,466 people have contracted the coronavirus, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.

And the number of patients being treated for Covid-19 in hospital now stands at 311, a drop of 176 from the previous day. The number of people in ICU with the virus has also fallen slightly from 59 to 58.

Senior members of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) have said the number of people hospitalised with the virus and the number in intensive care have stabilised, while the incidence of disease has decreased in the past fortnight.

Latest data shows local areas with the highest incidence of disease include Ballybay-Clones, Monaghan, Carndonagh and Buncrana – each of which have an incidence rate ranging from 1,234 cases per 100,000 to 1,576 per 100,000.

Areas with the lowest incidence include nearby New Ross, Fermoy, Roscrea-Templemore, Rosslare and Athlone.