There have been another four deaths related to COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today, along with 425 new cases.
Of the deaths notified today two occurred this month, one occurred in February, and the last happened in January.
No county breakdown of the daily cases is available today.
There has now been a total of 4,941 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, and 254,870 confirmed cases of the disease.
Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of five confirmed cases, which is reflected in the national total.
The median age of the cases notified today is 29 years old, and 78% of cases are in people under the age of 45, while just 4% are in people over 65 years old.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said “Many of us have fond memories of our time in school, particularly the traditional celebrations that mark the formal end of in-school learning like graduation ceremonies for sixth-year students.”
“I am aware that this is an important time in the lives of young adults as they take a break from studying for an evening to celebrate with friends.”
However, he said that this year it is not possible to for such events to take place, and urged students not to go to any graduation events.
“It is very important that all students preparing to sit state exams in June take the necessary precautions now to ensure you do not contract COVID-19, particularly in the last remaining days before the commencement of the Leaving Cert.”
Professor Philip Nolan said that the incidence rate is stable, while improvements are being seen hospital and ICU admissions.
“The data also reveals the positive effects of vaccination, not only incidence in the over 65 age groups below the national average and rapidly declining, but we are seeing a very large discrepancy in the probability of being hospitalised or dying.”
“It is clear that vaccination not only decreases infection but also decreases the severity of any disease that breaks through.”
The COVID-19 data hub provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of the disease in the community.
