The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has hailed the effort of the Irish public as he had "the most positive briefing in a long time" with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn this evening.
The HSE confirmed that eight further people had lost their lives to Covid, while 309 new cases were recorded.
But posting on social media in the aftermath, Mr Donnelly listed many reasons for hope.
Mr Donnelly tweeted: "Just finished up the most positive post-NPHET briefing with Dr Ronan Glynn we've had in a long time.
"Thanks to a huge effort by households right across the country we're making strong progress.
"While there's still a good deal of risk, we're doing well. Some highlights:
" 1: R number is 0.7 to 1.0, likely a little under 1. 2.
" 2: 5 day case average 388, down 10% on last week (270 end Nov). Critically, NPHET saying this is not down to vaccines (yet) but is down to people sticking with health measures, meeting outdoors, etc. - HUGE achievement for Ireland!
"3. 14 day incident rate down 13% on last week.
"4: National positivity rate is 2.6%, though 8.3% in the community.
"5: Covid hospitalisations now 184
"6: No new outbreaks (2 or more linked cases) in nursing homes so far this week, and none last week.
"7: Average close contacts steady at 2.6 (this is a phenomenal achievement, keeping cases down and again showing how important it has been to stick with the public health measures).
"8: Close contacts in educational settings down on last week."
It comes after Tànaiste Leo Varadkar reaffirmed that plans to reopen hairdressers and barbers in May is on track.
However, it is unlikely every personal service will reopen at once on May 4.
Speaking on RTE, the Fine Gael leader also provided an insight into when the public will hear definitive confirmation about when and what measures will be lifted next.
