A further 5,252 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID have been announced this afternoon.

Meanwhile, 6,489 people registered positive antigen test results through the HSE portal yesterday.

This morning, there were 1,535 patients with COVID in hospital – down 75 on yesterday but up 110 on this day last week.

There were 58 in intensive care, which is up nine on yesterday and five on last week.

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 12,580.

Restrictions

It comes as organisations representing doctors and nurses called for the re-introduction of some COVID restrictions ‘as a matter of urgency’ - something the Government has ruled out.

In a joint statement, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) say hospitals are overwhelmed and staff need help.

The Government has noted that, due to the high transmissibility of the current COVID variant, a return to mandatory mask-wearing would not stop the spread.

Masks

In the Dáil, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said he fully understands the calls from medical staff but warned that it would take some “very serious measures indeed” to reduce the spread.

He noted that people are still advised to wear masks on public transport and in confined spaces.