There 32 fewer patients battling Covid-19 in hospital today.

According to the latest figures from the Health Service Executive, 325 patients are currently hospitalised with the virus. 76 people are being treated in intensive care units, a reduction of four.

This morning, HSE CEO Paul Reid revealed that Covid-19 swabbing referrals were 35% on Monday and 42% on Tuesday compared to the same days last week.

“Available vaccinations are protecting those most vulnerable. Great hope but we need to stay alert to the virus in our community.” Mr Reid tweeted.

#COVID19 swabbing referrals are up Mon (35%) & Tue (42%) v’s same days last week. Positively, hospitalisations are down to 325 & 76 in ICU. Available vaccinations are protecting those most vulnerable. Great hope but we need to stay alert to the virus in our community. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 24, 2021

A further 371 cases of coronavirus were confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours, with 24 deaths from the disease, 12 of which occurred in March, 10 in February and two in January.

Of the latest cases, 183 are men and 187 are women, 75% are under 45 years of age and the median age is 30 years old.

Numbers seem to have plateaued in Cork, where 16 cases were recorded, meanwhile, there were 151 in Dublin, 31 in Offaly, 27 in Donegal, 25 in Galway and 21 in Meath, with the remaining 116 cases are spread across 16 other counties.