The number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital continues to reduce, according to latest figures from the Health Service Executive.
There were 676 patients with the disease in hospital last night, down 50 cases on earlier in the day. Latest figures show that pressure on hospitals from Covid-19 is easing slowly.
The busiest hospital with cases is St James's in Dublin, which is caring for 83 Covid-19 patients. A reduction in cases amongst healthcare staff, due to vaccination, is also helping the situation.
As Covid-19 cases reduce, the expectation is that the hospital system can return to dealing with more non-Covid care. There are over 843,000 patients now waiting for treatment, or to be seen at an outpatient clinic.