A further 2,277 PCR-confirmed COVID cases have been announced this afternoon.

Some 3,642 people also registered positive antigen tests yesterday.

This morning, there were 610 COVID patients in hospital – down 24 on this day last week,

There were 47 in intensive care, which is down five on last week.

Over the weekend, 5,973 PCR-confirmed cases were recorded, while 5,966 people registered positive antigen results on the HSE portal.

The five-day moving average. image: Newstalk

Since PCR testing was restricted for the under-40s in mid-January, daily case figures have included positive antigen test results uploaded to the HSE portal alongside PCR-confirmed results.

When both are included, the five-day moving average is now 6,710.