Today the news cycle has mostly been dominated by events happening not in Ireland but across the pond.
Joe Biden was this afternoon inaugurated as the 46th US President – bringing to an end four turbulent years of Donald Trump's leadership.
But there were also big developments in the story of Ireland's journey with Covid-19 – mostly of the grim variety, unfortunately.
From a jump in cases to a Dail dispute featuring graphic details of a student nurse's struggles, we heard more bad news than good today.
But with a vaccine on the horizon, families around the country will be praying that things change before too long.
Here are the five biggest coronavirus stories today.
Cases jump up again
After consecutive drop-offs in the number of infections being reported by public health chiefs, today saw a spike.
The Department of Health tonight reported 2,488 cases of Covid-19 – up from 2,001 yesterday.
And there were another 61 deaths, as mortality rates remain at scarily high levels.
Lockdown to last 'well into February', Fine Gael TDs told
Ireland's lockdown will not lift next week when the current period of Level Five restrictions comes to an end, Fine Gael TDs were told tonight.
Instead we'll be locked down until "well into February", amid figures far too high for politicians to consider easing the Covid-19 measures in place.
Cabinet will meet next week to discuss the state of play – but we have a fairly good idea of where we stand.
Tony Holohan warns the public about 'loved ones'
Dr Tony Holohan tonight told the public we should not be meeting friends and loved ones unless it's to provide essential care.
He gave the warning amid fears in some quarters that people still aren't complying fully with lockdown measures – despite still-soaring case numbers.
And the Chief Medical Officer added: "The number of cases and deaths that we are reporting today and the persisting high incidence rate of Covid-19 across the country shows that we cannot underestimate the highly infectious nature of this disease and the impact that it can have on families and communities."
Student nurse saw patient's toe fall off in the shower
The debate over student nurses took a bizarre – and graphic – twist today, as the Dail heard of one unfortunate frontline worker who'd watched a man's toe fall off in his sock.
The claim came from Sinn Fein TD Patricia Ryan, who said: "It is often said that nursing is a vocation, but this pandemic has proven this much more.
"I have been contacted by many student nurses over recent months and the stories I have heard are shocking.
"One student nurse told me recently that while helping a patient to shower, the patient's toe came off in his sock."
Coombe to launch investigation after family members given vaccine
The Coombe Hospital confirmed tonight that it will launch an independent review into a vaccine controversy that erupted when it emerged that Covid-19 vaccines had been given to 16 family members of staff.
It comes after a former master at the hospital called for an inquiry into the episode.
The hospital's board of directors met on Monday night to discuss an issue that left many fuming after it emerged that jabs had been given to members of staff working at the hospital.
