Officials have announced 411 new coronavirus cases alongside six further virus-related deaths.

It takes the death toll in Ireland to 4,687 and the national case total to 235,854.

This morning, there were 297 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals – 13 fewer than yesterday.

Meanwhile, there were 67 in intensive care, the same number as yesterday.

Of the cases announced this afternoon, 150 were in Dublin, with 31 in Donegal, 25 in Kildare, 25 in Wexford, 21 in Offaly and the remaining 159 spread across 17 other counties.

The 14-day rate of the virus in Ireland now stands at 161.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Offaly still has the highest rate in Ireland at 484.9 and there are now six counties with rates higher than 200 - one fewer than yesterday.

The 14-day coronavirus rate in Ireland. Image: Department of Health

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said it is critical that people work together to prevent a “significant fourth wave” over the next two months.

“Together with all of the basic public health measures with which we are all now so familiar, vaccination will significantly reduce risk of COVID-19 over the next relatively short period of time,” he said.

“It will radically reduce mortality when those over 70 are fully vaccinated but will initially have a smaller effect on hospitalisation and critical care until the wider adult population, especially vulnerable adults and those aged 50-69 years, are protected by vaccination.

“There is a critical window over the next eight weeks where any significant increase in close contact is likely to lead to a significant fourth wave of infection in the range of that experienced in January 2021.

“We can and should be optimistic for an enjoyable summer ahead but, in the meantime, we have to continue to work together to prevent a further wave of infection as we accelerate vaccination across society and maintain our health services.”

Ireland's vaccination administration. Image: Department of Health

As of Sunday, a total of 806,541 vaccine doses had been administered in the State.

Some 580,857 people had received their first dose and 225,684 were fully vaccinated.

The Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group Dr Philip Nolan at Department of Health Dublin, 08-02-2021. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The Chair of the NPHET Modelling Advisory Group Professor Philip Nolan said the Reproduction number of the virus is currently estimated at between 1.0 and 1.3.

“If the epidemic is growing again now, the doubling time is estimated at 35 days or longer,” he said.

“When comparing the risks of levels of social mixing now and over the coming months with that which applied in 2020, we need to take into account the B.1.1.7 variant and how easily that transmits.

“We must also take account the vaccination-induced immunity that will progressively protect us and make it more difficult for the virus to transmit.

“Vaccination will contribute greatly to the easing of measures in the coming months, however now we need to keep transmission as low as possible so that vaccination of the population can take place and have the desired effect.”

Restrictions

In his address to the nation last night, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said people will be able to “enjoy much greater freedom later in the summer.”

He announced plans to ease a number of restrictions in the coming weeks but confirmed that the majority will remain until June at the earliest.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe described scenes of large crowds socialising without social distancing at parks and waterways throughout Dublin last night as “appalling.”

30/03/2021 Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland. Day 370 since start of lockdown. Day 90 of return to Level 5 restrictions. Cabinet Meetings On Easing Restrictions. Large crowds of People not social distancing relaxing in the good sunny weather at Dublin's Portobello as today's cabinet meeting was after taking place which is about possible easing restrictions. Photo:Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

At the briefing this afternoon, Professor Pete Lunn from the Behavioural Research Unit at the ESRI said the behaviour of a small minority is “increasing the risk for all of us.”

“Even this minority are trying to stick to restrictions in most aspects, but they are nevertheless visiting other homes,” he said.

“It would be much better if people could instead meet at outdoor locations and maintain distance.

“Our research finds that three psychological factors are linked to increased social activity: how worried people are in general by the virus, whether they view the restrictions as coherent, and how they personally view the trade-off between preventing the spread of the virus against the burden of the restrictions.

“Interestingly, we don’t find that fatigue is directly linked to behaviour. Those who say they are most tired of the restrictions are not more likely to break them. Rather, what matters is whether they view the benefit to society from preventing the spread of the virus as more important.”

Long-COVID

Meanwhile, Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain Consultant Psychiatrist and Integrated Care Lead at the HSE said some people who have recovered from the virus have reported symptoms of ‘long-COVID.’

She said the best defence against long-COVID is to adhere to public health advice.