A further 892 COVID cases have been announced this evening – the lowest figure since mid-July.

This morning there were 333 coronavirus patients in Irish hospitals, which is up 23 on this day last week.

There were 64 in intensive care, which is down two on last week.

It is the lowest daily case figure reported since July 14th when 783 cases were announced.

The five-day moving average has fallen to 1,172.

Five-day moving average. Image: Newstalk

It comes after the HSE insisted that the health system is resilient enough to handle both flu and COVID this winter.

There was not a single lab-confirmed case of flu here last year because of COVID-19 restrictions.

But health officials are warning the country will not get away that lightly this year.

People with weak immune systems, the elderly, pregnant women and children are all being urged to get their free flu jab.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, HSE Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said the learnings of the pandemic have left the country in a more resilient position than previously.

Composite image shows Prof Luke O'Neill in Newstalk studios, and a prescription bottle with capsules following Merck trials of an oral antiviral treatment for the Covid-19 virus. Picture by: Newstalk/Backyard Productions/Alamy Stock Photo

Meanwhile, Trinity Professor Luke O’Neill told The Pat Kenny Show that a newly available pill is ‘the one they’re looking for’ in the fight against COVID.

MSD - or Merck - says molnupiravir reduces the risk of hospitalisation or death by approximately 50%.

The company plans to submit an application for emergency use to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "as soon as possible" - as well as marketing applications "to other regulatory bodies worldwide".