In this bleak period it's important to look out for the good news and take an optimistic approach that Ireland will defeat Covid-19.
Vaccine updates are rolling in almost daily with increased hope that 2021 will be very different to the last 11 months.
And mortality from the virus as a whole is down hugely from Ireland's first wave which is another encouraging sign.
Here are three positive updates to start your weekend;
Taoiseach's upbeat vaccine prediction
Ireland could have Covid vaccines rolling in time for the Holidays with Taoiseach Micheál Martin last night declaring it would be “a wonderful Christmas present.”
Mr Martin said: “Remember, vaccines save the world for many different periods of our history in terms of eliminating a virus.”
And then he added: “We may not be in a position to deliver it during Christmas, but it would be a wonderful Christmas present in the sense of the voucher for the next 12 months…. It’s hope.”
Lockdown countdown
The entire country is nearing the end of the brutal six week lockdown with restrictions supposed to change on December 1.
The country has seen a significant drop in cases since then although health experts have stated it may not be as low as they wanted.
But, the Government has been firm in saying that there is "no appetite" for Level Five to be extended nationwide.
An announcement is expected towards the end of next week as to what happens from December 1.
Vaccine update
It's another big win on the vaccine front with Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech formally submitting their jab for approval in the US.
The US Food and Drug Administration will meet on December 10 and if emergency approval is granted it could be rolled out just days later.
The company has also begun looking at submissions for the European Union, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan.
