A FURTHER 359 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has said this evening.

In a statement, it said that a further 14 people confirmed to have Covid-19 have died. Three of the deaths occurred in March, 10 in February and one in November. 

The death toll from Covid-19 in Ireland is 4,333, and the total number of confirmed cases is now at 220,630.

Of the cases notified today:

• 157 are men / 193 are female
• 66% are under 45 years of age
• The median age is 34 years old
• 159 in Dublin, 25 in Westmeath, 21 in Louth, 21 in Galway, 19 in Meath and the remaining 114 cases are spread across 19 other counties. 

Department of Health Department of Health

Dr Ronan Glynn, the deputy Chief Medical Officer said: “While the low number of cases reported today may be attributable to a weekend effect, it is nevertheless very welcome and represents the lowest number of cases reported on a single day since mid-December.

“While we continue to make good progress in Ireland, globally in the past week, the number of cases of Covid-19 has increased for the first time in 7 weeks.

“We must not allow this virus the opportunity to do the same here. Please hold firm to the public health advice and together we can continue to protect and build on the progress we have made over the last 2 months.”

Visa-free travel bans 

Members of the Cabinet today approved the extension of an existing ban on visa-free travel from South Africa and a number of South American countries due to the Covid-19 variants.

The measures were due to expire on 5 March, but Justice Minister Helen McEntee told ministers today that the ban is now “indefinite” or in place until the ban is no longer required.

McEntee also told ministers of her capacity to further extend the ban to other non-EU countries in future that are deemed high risk.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan also sought approval from Cabinet today to extend the antigen testing services at Dublin Airport and Wexford for hauliers.

Since the end of January, hauliers have had to pre-book antigen testing before they travel, because of a new French requirement for a negative Covid-19 test for arrivals into the country.

All commercial drivers arriving in France from Ireland have to produce a negative test result.

The minister told Cabinet today that while it had been hoped the system might only need to be in place for 12 weeks, it will now be extended to a 52-week contract as it is expected it will be a requirement in France for some time to come.

Depending on the procurement arrangements and also how long the system will be in place, it is expected to cost the Exchequer between €6.5m-€16m.

- Additional reporting by Christina Finn.