It is notable that despite Ireland having among the highest incidence of Covid-19 in Europe, the Government has the confidence to ease close contact advice, on foot of advice from the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan.
It suggests the tide may be turning in the battle with Covid-19 that this major change is being made at this time. It also goes further than the recent updated European Centre for Disease Control advice on easing close contact rules.
Here, hospital cases reduced a little today to 1,055 and we know that 25-30% of people in hospital with Covid-19 are there for other reasons, but happened to test positive.
ICU numbers are relatively stable. Within the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), some of the experts believe Ireland is close to the peak, which may come within the next 10 days or so.