Health officials have announced a further 21,926 COVID cases this evening.
This morning, there were 936 COVID patients in Irish hospitals – down five on yesterday but up 254 on this day last week.
There were 84 in intensive care, which is six fewer than yesterday and two fewer than last week.
Meanwhile, there were 353 patients waiting for a bed on trolleys or in wards Irish hospitals this morning, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).
It is the second-lowest figure recorded for the first Friday in January in eight years. The lowest was recorded last year while the country was in post-Christmas lockdown.
This morning, NPHET member Dr Mary Favier said an easing of restrictions will have to be considered “quite soon”.
