The number of coronavirus patients in hospital has fallen to its lowest level in over six months.
Last night, the were 174 people in public hospitals with the virus – the lowest figure since October 8th.
This morning, there were 184 in both the public and private system, again the lowest figure for over six months.
It marks a 21% decrease on the same night last week and a fall of 18 patients yesterday alone.
Meanwhile, there were 48 patients in intensive care last night – an 11% fall on the week before.
🦠 Public hospitals last night didn’t just have the lowest number of Covid patients in 2021...it’s now lower than any point since October 8th!
189 days! More than six months!
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) April 15, 2021
Last night, 431 new cases were announced, alongside 12 further deaths.
The five-day moving average stands at 388 – Nearly 10% lower than the same night last week.
This morning, the online portal for vaccination appointments begins opening to the public.
People aged 69, will be the first to be able to make a booking.
It will then open to people aged 68 from tomorrow, with the age limit falling by a year every day until Monday.
From there it will remain open to over-65s until the next phase of the rollout begins.
Meanwhile, the Government is insisting it is on track to offer 80% of Irish adults a first dose by the end of June, despite the ongoing issues with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
As of Monday, 1,076,216 vaccine doses had been administered in Ireland.
Some 758,763 people had received their first dose, with 317,453 people having received their second dose.
However, the decision to limit the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people in their 60s has seen tens of thousands of appointments cancelled this week.
The Government is now considering allowing people under the age of 60 to take the AstraZeneca vaccine if they consent, and extending the time between Pfizer jabs so more adults can get one.
Additional reporting from Ben Finnegan
