Number of patients in public hospitals with Covid-19 has fallen below 500 for the first time this year

Latest figures from the HSE show there's 494 patients on wards, while there's 117 in ICU with the disease.

There's also been no ICU admissions in the past 24 hours for the first time in 2021.

There are 9 patients in the ICU at Cork University Hospital- it's half the figure from the peak of ICU admissions. 

It comes as the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his party colleagues a number of restrictions could be eased before May including the five kilometre travel limit.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn says the rule has helped slow the spread of the virus:

"There's no scientific rationale underpinning five kilometres versus four kilometres or six kilometres. But there's a very clear, public health rationale for asking people to stay at home and for setting a parameter which facilitates a clear understanding of what we're asking people to do."