Ireland is on track to have one of the lowest coronavirus rates in Europe, according to public health officials.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has urged people to continue to put their faith in “science and solidarity” to defeat the virus.

He noted that while case numbers remain high, if we can continue to suppress the disease this month, “our focus will begin to turn to what we can do, rather than what we cannot.”

He said there are now “more concrete reasons for hope and optimism” than at any time in the past year.

Some 612 further coronavirus cases were announced last night, along with six further deaths; however, Dr Glynn said the current restrictions are working – with hospitalisations down nearly 40% in the past fortnight.

He said the rollout of the vaccine has already has a “very positive impact” with a dramatic fall in cases among healthcare workers and in nursing homes.

“We still have a way to go,” he said. “Our case numbers are still far too high and we must continue to do all we can to suppress this disease over the coming weeks.

“If we can do this successfully through March, our focus will begin to turn to what we can do, rather than what we cannot.

“Yes, we need to be cautious and yes, there will be challenges over the coming months – but together, through science and solidarity, we will get through this and this pandemic will end.”

As of this morning, nearly 410,000 doses of vaccine had been administered in Ireland.

It means 137,935 people are now fully vaccinated while 271,5469 have had their first dose.