Health chiefs have announced a further 520 coronavirus infections in the country this evening while one more death has sadly been confirmed.
The death toll from the virus in Ireland now stands at 4,588.
There have been a total of 231,119 confirmed cases since the pandemic began last year.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn welcomed the return of visits to nursing homes today, saying it is a reminder of the benefits of vaccination.
He said: “It is a very welcome development to see new visitation guidance for nursing homes coming into effect from today.
"As we begin to experience the benefits of vaccination, it is a reminder of what we are collectively working towards, a vaccination rollout that, along with our other protective measures, will end this pandemic.
“People have worked exceptionally hard over the past three months to reduce transmission in our communities.
"We have shown time and again that we can act collectively to protect one another. Please keep this going over the coming weeks.”
Medical Virologist and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, Dr. Cillian de Gascun, warned that the highly transmissible UK variant, also known as B117, is now responsible for 90% of all cases in Ireland.
He said: Public health advice aims to limit the opportunities this virus has to spread, and it should be noted that B117 does not need much opportunity to do so. The most effective way to stop the spread of this variant and all variants of COVID-19 is to limit your social contacts and follow public health advice.”
Of the cases notified today:
- 258 are men / 262 are women
- 79% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 28 years old
- 242 in Dublin, 36 in Meath, 30 in Offaly, 29 in Kildare, 25 in Wicklow and the remaining 158 cases are spread across 20 other counties
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