The latest on COVID19 today

The latest developments on the fight against COVID19 as the virus continues to disrupt everyday life.

• The Taoiseach says people's efforts in tackling Covid 19 are having an impact. 

  The number of patients with the virus in hospital has dropped below 500 for the first time in 2021.

  497 people are in hospital with the virus and 116 in ICU.

• Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has come under fire for saying a Zero Covid strategy is not possible in Ireland. 

  The Minister made the remarks in the Seanad last night as new legislation on mandatory hotel quarantine was passed.

  Minister Donnelly said even harsher restrictions would be needed until the autumn to achieve Zero Covid.  

• The Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine could be approved for use in the EU on Thursday of next week. 

  The European Medicines Agency has called an extraordinary meeting to consider the jab - and it says a decision could be issued on the day. 

  The vaccine was recently approved for use in the US. 

  If given the go-ahead, it would be the fourth jab available in Ireland.

• A further 359 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed - the lowest daily figure since mid-December.

  14 additional deaths have also been recorded.

  Offaly and Longford currently have the highest rates of infection in the country, which Cork and Kerry have the lowest.