No new COVID-19 related deaths have been reported across the country as Clare’s cases increased by seven among the 437 new cases nationally.

Clare’s 14 day incidence rate per 100k of the population stands at 115.3 and is the eleventh lowest in the country. A total of 137 new cases have been diagnosed in the county in the last 14 days, with 7 new cases known.

There are 437 new cases nationally, 184 in Dublin, 31 in Limerick, 26 in Donegal, 20 in Galway, 18 in Offaly and the remaining 158 cases are spread across all other counties.

NPHET have confirmed that no new deaths related to the virus have occurred.

Vaccine numbers from Friday show that 513,322 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland.

As of 8am today, 418 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 103 are in ICU. 20 additional hospitalisations occurred in the past 24 hours.

Hope associated with the virus cannot lead to complacency, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer stated. “It is vital that this hope does not give way to complacency; across Europe countries are seeing a deteriorating picture and our own disease incidence remains high – we must do all we can to continue to suppress this virus and to ensure that as many people as possible get to benefit from vaccination over the coming months,” Dr Ronan Glynn stated.

Dr. Cliona Murphy, Chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said; “We recommend that everyone of reproductive age should take the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available. We are aware of misinformation about risks associated with taking COVID-19 vaccines and an impact on fertility. There is no evidence that taking any of the COVID-19 vaccines affects a woman’s future ability to conceive, or to continue a pregnancy.”