The number of people being treated for coronavirus in Irish hospitals has dropped, according to new figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE).

As of Monday morning 317 people with COVID-19 are being treated in hospital.

That is down eight on Sunday's figures, and is the lowest number since October 24th.

ICU COVID-19 confirmed cases. Source: HSE

Meanwhile there are 44 people in ICUs, which remains unchanged.

It appears hospital numbers in the second wave peaked last Tuesday, when 354 people were receiving treatment.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in hospital (as of 8.00am on Monday, November 2nd). Source: HSE

Almost 2.5-times that number were in hospital when the highest COVID-19 hospitalisation numbers were recorded in April.

There have also been 14,095 COVID-19 tests carried out in the last 24 hours - and 95,846 in the last seven days.

Of these, there has been a positive rate of 5.2%.

Meanwhile the HSE has confirmed it is drawing up plans for a national network of clinics to be ready for a COVID-19 vaccine.