There have been a further 4,065 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) also says 7,617 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal on Wednesday.

This brings Thursday's case total to 11,682.

Based on these figures, the five-day moving average of cases has risen to 8,813.

While as of 8.00am, 877 patients were hospitalised with the virus - of whom 41 were in ICU.

Main image: A COVID-19 infected blood sample. Picture by: gre jak / Alamy Stock Photo