The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital remains relatively unchanged this morning. As of 8am, there were 650 patients with the virus being treated in hospital, an increase of one on the same time yesterday.
It compares to a figure of 961 two weeks ago, and 845 on this day last week. Yesterday's number was the lowest level since 619 on 30 December; and was almost 40% down from the recent peak of 1,063 patients on 10 January.
The number of people with Covid-19 in intensive care units has also been falling. Of the 649 people in hospital with the virus at 11.30am yesterday, 66 were being treated in ICU, a reduction of three on the same time a day earlier, and down from 89 two weeks earlier.
Separately, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly yesterday accepted recommendations for the introduction of a new Covid-19 vaccine.