A further 1,149 PCR-confirmed COVID cases have been announced this afternoon.

Meanwhile, 1,221 people registered positive antigen tests through the HSE portal yesterday.

This morning, there were 412 patients with COVID in hospital – down 23 on yesterday and 242 on this day last week.

There were 36 in intensive care, which is down two on yesterday.

The five-day moving average. Image: Newstalk

Since PCR testing was restricted for the under-40s in mid-January, the National Public health Emergency Team (NPHET) has reported positive antigen test results uploaded to the HSE portal alongside PCR-confirmed results.

When both are included, the five-day moving average is now 1,849.