A further 5,523 confirmed COVID cases have been announced this evening.

Meanwhile, 5,048 people registered positive antigen test results on the HSE portal yesterday.

This morning, there were 896 patients in COVID in hospital – down 14 on yesterday and 115 on this day last week.

There were 90 in intensive care, which is the same as yesterday and two fewer than last week.

When the PCR-confirmed cases and positive antigen tests are combined, the daily cases figure for today is 10,571.

On that basis, the five-day moving average is 12,095.

The give-day moving average. Image: Newstalk

This evening, National Public Health Emergency Team gave the green light for almost all restrictions to be lifted.

The health officials have issued a letter to Government after a lengthy meeting earlier today.

It is understood the letter states that the 8pm curfew can be lifted, nightclubs can open whenever the Government see fit and COVID certs can be scrapped.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin is set to announce the timeline for reopening tomorrow afternoon.