A further 5,697 confirmed COVID cases have been announced this evening.
Meanwhile, 4,564 people registered positive antigen test results through the HSE portal yesterday.
This morning, there were 892 patients in hospital – down four on yesterday and 131 on last week.
There were 88 in intensive care, which is two fewer than yesterday but five more than last week.
The five-day moving average. Image: NewstalkWhen the PCR-confirmed cases and positive antigen tests are combined, the daily cases figure for today is 10,261.
On that basis, the five-day moving average is 11,149.
It comes as the Taoiseach announced the end of almost all restrictions in his address to the nation this evening.
The changes are the most significant Ireland has seen since the pandemic began.
In his address to the nation on the steps of Leinster House this evening, Micheál Martin said, "today is a good day" and urged everyone to take a moment to appreciate what the country has achieved.
“Spring is coming and I don’t know if I have ever looked forward to one as much as I am looking forward to this one,” he said.
“Humans are social beings and we Irish are more social than most. As we look forward to this Spring, we need to see each other again, we need to see each other smile, we need to sing again.”
