There have been 631 more cases of COVID-19 announced in Ireland today by NPHET.
That brings the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 224,588.
Sadly, 47 further deaths related to the coronavirus have also been confirmed.
Overall, 4,499 people have lost their lives due to illness related to the disease. 14 of these deaths occurred in March, 18 occurred in February and 15 occurred in January.
Of the cases notified today:
- 317 are men / 308 are women
- 74% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 29 years old
- 247 in Dublin, 50 in Kildare, 44 in Meath, 41 in Cork, 32 in Limerick and the remaining 217 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
As of 8am today, 370 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 92 are in ICU. 31 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
As of March 7, 525,768 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland:
- 375,521 people have received their first dose
- 150,247 people have received their second dose
In an update on lockdown restrictions today, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he is hopeful of lifting the 5km limit soon.
He said that Ireland is "on the right track" to beginning to lift restrictions beginning on April 5, but warned that it will depend on how the opening of schools goes, as well as the level of hospital and ICU admissions.
But in a blow to the retail sector, he said the lifting of restrictions will be slower then last time, with the focus on construction and outdoor activities and amenities.
On weddings and funerals, he added: "We would love to [increase numbers] and it is not the church, but there is very strong evidence that everything else that happens around weddings and funerals is a problem.
"It’s just the nature of these events."
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