Officials Announce 617 New Coronavirus Cases And 10 More Deaths

Health officials have announced a further 617 coronavirus cases and 10 more deaths.

It is the highest daily case figure since April 1st.

Seven of the deaths happened this month, with one in March, one in February and one in January.

It takes the death toll in Ireland to 4,866 and the national case total to 245,310.

This morning, there were 176 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals – six fewer than yesterday and down just over 4% on this day last week.

There were 48 in intensive care – up one on yesterday.

Two girls sitting on a park bench in front of social distancing sign in Stephens Green in Dublin, 22-03-2021. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “We are in a strong position in that transmission levels have reduced substantially and the roll-out of vaccination is protecting more and more of those at risk from the severe effects of COVID-19.

“If we can maintain our current position there is hope that we can look forward to a real easing of measures, but it is as important as ever that we don’t put that progress at risk by letting our collective guard down too much, or too early.”

The 14-day rate of the virus now stands at 118.1 cases per 100,000 people.

The 14-day rate of the coronavirus in Ireland. Image: Department of Health

Donegal has the highest rate in the country at 256.9, with Offaly and Kildare both over the 200 mark.

There are now ten counties with rates between 100 and 200.

Of the cases announced this evening, 236 were in Dublin, with 84 in Donegal, 37 in Kildare, 34 in Tipperary, 30 in Offaly and the remaining 196 spread across 20 other counties.

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, speaking during a COVID-19 update briefing at the Department of Health, in Dublin.

The Chair of the NPHET Modelling Advisory Group Professor Philip Nolan said the reproductive number of the virus is now estimated at “very close to 1.0.”

“We continue to keep close contacts at 2.6 – a phenomenal testament to the public in keeping social transmission low,” he said.

“All indicators of the disease are stable or declining slowly, though we may see an increase in cases over the coming days.

“Maintaining this over the coming weeks is key to managing community transmission, and a move towards easing of measures.”

Coronavirus vaccinations in Ireland. Image: Department of Health

As of Tuesday, a total of 1,240,965 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Ireland.

878,823 people had received their first dose, while 362,142 people had received two.

Of the 109,198 tests carried out in the past week, 2.7% have come back positive.