Ireland is now four days into our second lockdown as Level Five restrictions take effect.
The strict measures are currently in place across the entire country for six weeks with the hope of easing lockdown by the end of November.
However it will be totally dependent how on how low case numbers are by that time.
But there has been some good news in recent days as Ireland saw a slight dip in the number of confirmed cases giving hope that measures are starting to work.
And there was more positivity over the weekend after Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that he was “optimistic” that Irish people could get a Covid vaccine in the first few months of next year.
Latest on Covid-19 vaccine
Mr Varadkar's comments came after it emerged Pfizer Ireland’s managing director said there are strong signs the company’s experimental jab could be approved by the end of next month.
Speaking this week distinguished infectious diseases expert Dr Antony Fauci said a vaccine could be available in the United States before the end of the year if proved to be "safe and effective".
The top doctor told the BBC's Andrew Marr that the limited first doses would go to people according to a set prioritisation – and that it would take "several months into 2021" before it was more widely available.
Caution over vaccine
Despite the renewed optimism that a vaccine is around the corner there has been warnings that a vaccine will not be an overnight fix to the pandemic.
Paul Moynagh, Professor of Immunology at Maynooth University told Newstalk: "Its success will depend on how widely available the vaccine is, what the uptake is, how effective it is.
"The bar to get the vaccine to eliminate the virus is enormously high.
"I think the vaccine will be a really important contributor to dealing with COVID-19 and reducing its impact.
"But thinking that the vaccine is going to be released and it will be the panacea and is going to eradicate the virus is a very naive one.
"I think in terms of strategy going forward, we need to move beyond the vaccine whilst accepting that it will be a very important help to us."
Meanwhile a recent survey showed just over half of Irish citizens, 55%, said they will take an inoculation if one becomes available.
One-third, or 33%, were unsure whether they would take the injection, while 12% said they would not do so.
Latest hospital figures
As of 8am on Monday a total of 344 people are in hospital with Covid-19 a sharp rise from 315 on Sunday.
Meanwhile 39 patients with coronavirus are in ICU.
Speaking yesterday Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said: “If you’re a confirmed case, have had a test or have symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 10 days.
"If you live with a case or have been told you’re a close contact, you must restrict your movements for 14 days. Everyone else should stay at home, unless for essential reasons or for exercise within 5km of where you live.”
