CMO says vaccines are providing 'very effective protection' as 1,423 new Covid cases recorded

There are 286 people being treated in hospital, this is down 11 on yesterday's figures.

The Chief Medical Officer says that vaccines are providing "very effective protection" from severe illness and had "fundamentally changed the risk profile of Covid-19 in Ireland".

"It is important that all of us receive our COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to us," Dr Tony Holohan said.