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Welcome to our LIVE blog dedicated to the coronavirus, where we will have all the updates on the Covid-19 figures for tonight.
The last announcement of cases and deaths is expected to occur between 5.30 pm and 6 pm
Ireland is nearing the end of the second week of Level Five Covid-19 restrictions and encouraging signs continue to appear.
Cases have continued to fall in recent days and on Wednesday Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed that Ireland’s R number has dropped below 1 for the first time since the lockdown began.
Playback number drops below 1
Donnelly revealed that the number of breeders is now between 0.7 and 0.9.
The key metric shows roughly how many other people are infected with an average case of Covid-19.
The Fianna Fail TD also added that there were some positive signs that the new measures could be working.
The 14-day incidence rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 residents is now 278 nationally, compared to 278 in the previous two-week period.
And Donnelly added that the incidence rate is currently falling in 23 of the 26 counties.
Health chiefs caution
While there are positive signs, health chiefs continue to call for caution as they continue to encourage the public to adhere to public health guidelines.
Speaking earlier this week, Medical Director Dr. Tony Holohan said that while case numbers were declining, he cautioned that “we still have a long way to go.”
Dr Holohan said: “Due to the efforts of people across Ireland, we are seeing improvements with COVID-19.
“However, we must remember that maintaining this downward trend is now the most crucial.
“The value of our progress depends on continuing the confident behavior that led us to this position. I urge everyone to continue to do so to ensure that these initial trends continue.”
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