The recent surge in Covid deaths is directly due to restrictions being lifted before Christmas, according to a public health expert.
A daily-record of 101 deaths was confirmed here yesterday, while one of those people was 19-years-old.
However, the lowest number of cases since December 28th was also recorded, with 879 new infections.
Professor Gabriel Scally says the recent death toll was avoidable: 'A high proportion of these deaths were undoubtedly avoidable if restrictions were kept in place in December
The chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, says we have a long way to go to bring the virus under control.
There are 1,368 patients in hospital with the virus - compared to over 2,000 just over two weeks ago.
There are 205 people in ICU - down from a peak of 221 nine days ago.
