There have been 322 new coronavirus cases announced this evening alongside five further deaths.

It takes the death toll in Ireland to 1,922 and the total number of cases to 63,048.

It is the lowest figure announced since September 26th.

Meanwhile the number of patients in hospital has dropped from 322 yesterday to 296 today.

There are currently 42 patients in intensive care.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it is now crucial we keep the virus on a downward trend in the coming weeks.

“Due to the efforts of people across Ireland, we are seeing improvements with COVID-19,” he said.

“However, we must remember that maintaining this downward trend is now the most crucial thing.

“The value of our progress depends on continuing the safe behaviour that got us to this position. I urge everyone to keep it up, to ensure these initial trends continue.”

Some 96 of the new cases were in Dublin, while 35 were in Meath, 23 were in Cork, 17 were in Louth and 16 were in Waterford.

The remaining 135 cases are spread across 18 other counties.

Of the 87,212 tests carried out in the past week, some 4.7% came back positive.

Some 64% of the cases announced this evening relate to patients under the age of 45.