The number of Covid patients in hospital has fallen to 371 - the lowest since December 28th.

This includes 93 patients in intensive care.

 30 additional deaths were reported yesterday evening from the virus - 12 of which  occurred this month.

There were also 311 new confirmed cases of the virus -  the lowest number of cases in a single day in nearly three months.

It includes 12 new cases in Galway, 10 in Mayo and less than 5 in Roscommon.

Ireland's 14-day incidence rate is now 161 cases per 100,000 of the population - down from 201 this day last week.

8 counties have 14-day rates above the national average, while all Connacht counties have rates below the national average.

Ballygar-based GP Dr Martin Daly, a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, says there are two reasons why the country's going in the right direction....