World Health Organisation Ireland hit by the 'serious surge' of Covid-19 around the world recently

The country's five-day moving average has increased by 10% over the past five days, and is now 538. 

There was a slight drop yesterday, with 371 new cases and 24 deaths. 

There were 357 people in hospital with the virus last night - with 76 in intensive care. 

Dr David Nabarro, the WHO's special envoy on Covid, says Ireland's situation remains concerning: 

"We're seeing actually rising cases all over Western Europe, Eastern Europe and then, in many other parts of the world as well. So a little bit disturbing because we've actually had a very welcome decline during the first two months of this year, but I'm afraid it's now really starting to get into a serious surge again, and Ireland has not escaped from the general picture."