Two more deaths and a further 362 new cases of Covid-19

Two more people have died a further 362 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said this evening.

Of the deaths reported to day, one occurred in October and one remains under investigation.

The death toll from the coronavirus in Ireland is now 1,965, and the total number of confirmed cases is now at 66,247.

Meanwhile a further eleven cases were reported in Meath today and the county's incidence rate is 172.6, the third highest in the country after Limerick and Donegal. Three people were being treated for the virus in Our lady's Hospital, Navan last night.

The national 14-day incidence rate is now 145.0 per 100k population.

As of 2pm today, 280 patients with Covid-19 are hospitalised. There are 38 people receiving treatment in intensive care, while there have been 21 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

In Dublin, 90 new cases were recorded, along with 34 in Limerick, 29 in Louth and 24 in Cork. All other counties recorded less than 20 cases today.

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “The profile of the disease is improving and, while this is a positive trend, it does not mean it is time to take a step back from our adherence to public health guidelines. I urge everyone to redouble their efforts, try and have fewer close contacts this week than you did last week, continue to social distance and follow the other vitally important public health guidelines.