5,590 new Covid cases confirmed as Tánaiste warns restrictions could last beyond early January

As of 8am this morning, 505 Covid patients were hospitalised, of which 117 were in intensive care. File Picture: iStock

Leo Varadkar has branded the introduction of new Covid-19 restrictions last week a “bitter disappointment” and warned they could extend beyond early January.

But he said the country is facing “a serious fourth wave” of the virus, and despite a highly successful vaccination rollout, “the picture of progress is mixed”.