Ireland has seen further encouraging signs after recording yet another drop in Covid-19 cases.
Just 226 new infections were confirmed this evening, representing another fall compared to last week.
But sadly, there were another six deaths associated with the disease.
There have been a total of 2,028 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland, while the number of confirmed cases here now sits at 70,930.
Of the cases notified today:
- 115 are men / 109 are women
- 56% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 42 years old
As of 2pm today 292 patients are hospitalised with Covid-19, of which 36 are in ICU.
There have been 18 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
The drop in cases across the nation meant there was a significant number of counties which saw less than five infections.
And four counties, Roscommon, Offaly, Sligo and Leitrim have all recorded zero new cases.
Despite the encouraging signs, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar warned that more restrictions could be needed in the New Year after measures are eased for Christmas.
A full breakdown of today's cases is as follows:
Donegal - 41
Louth - 12
Limerick - 13
Waterford - 7
Roscommon - 0
Dublin - 64
Meath - <5
Offaly - 0
Monaghan - <5
Westmeath - <5
Kilkenny - 8
Longford - <5
Tipperary - 23
Cavan - <5
Mayo - <5
Clare - <5
Cork - 6
Kildare - <5
Carlow - <5
Wicklow - 12
Sligo - 0
Galway - 6
Leitrim - 0
Kerry - <5
Laois - <5, and
Wexford - <5.
