The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has fallen again but the average number of close contacts per confirmed case of the disease has risen, according to latest figures from the HSE.
As of last night there were 312 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease - down from 346 people the previous night.
There were 124 confirmed cases and 188 suspected cases. The Mater Hospital continues to have the highest number of patients, with 31 confirmed cases.
There were 19 confirmed cases in Tallaght hospital and 11 in Limerick hospital. The number of people in intensive care has also fallen.