He was speaking on Sunday, before the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) reported one further death related to Covid-19 and 269 new cases of the virus. The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital also fell this weekend to its lowest level since October, with 181 people being treated for the virus. “We are ahead of the best-case scenario we were given four weeks ago” for cases of the virus and the R number, or rate at which the virus is reproduced, remains below 1, said the Minister. ConstructionEarlier on Sunday Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government will look at getting all construction reopened in May as “key milestones are being met” with regards to controlling Covid-19 cases. Mr Donnelly said the data from Ireland and internationally showed the impact of the first dose was very significant in terms of cutting cases and hospitalisations.

Source: The Irish Times April 18, 2021 11:37 UTC