LATEST: Taoiseach says ‘we can be optimistic’ as 12,138 new cases of virus confirmed

A further 12,138 people have contracted Covid-19, it was confirmed this evening.

The Department of Health said it has been notified of 6,843 additional PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as 5,295 positive antigen tests registered through the HSE portal.

The number of people in ICU is 90, down three on yesterday. There are now 910 people in hospital with the virus, a drop of 69.

Since last Wednesday, 52 deaths have been newly notified in Ireland. It brings the total number of deaths in the Republic to 6,087.

The latest figures comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government will meet on Friday to decide on easing Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking on his way into a Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said the Government had to be mindful of disease levels and the prospect of future variants, but he added: “We can be optimistic about the medium term.”