A further 3,342 PCR-confirmed cases of COVID have been announced this afternoon.

Meanwhile, 4,352 positive antigen tests were registered on the HSE portal yesterday.

This morning, there were 653 patients with COVID in Irish hospitals – up 60 on this day last week.

There were 56 in intensive care, which is eight fewer than last week.

The five-day moving average. Image: Newstalk

Since PCR testing was restricted for the under-40s in mid-January, the National Public health Emergency Team (NPHET) has reported positive antigen test results uploaded to the HSE portal alongside PCR-confirmed results.

When both are included, the five-day moving average is now 6,725