There’s good news from Ireland’s hospitals this morning.

The number of coronavirus patients battling the disease in hospital is now at 209, the lowest number since early January.

Right now 53 people are receiving treatment in ICU.

Yesterday the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported 400 new cases of the virus, 26 of which were in Cork, and seven additional deaths related to Covid-19.

Speaking last night, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said it was “amazing” that, since the end of February, close contacts for cases have not increased at all.

“Given the length of time that we’ve been dealing with it, that really is positive.” Dr Glynn said.

“More than any other measure we have, first of all, more than any other measure, it’s the most sensitive indicator we have of what’s going to happen with the disease over time.”

Dr Glynn said that despite high profile incidents where people had not complied with the guidance, the latest figures show that the vast majority of people are still sticking to the rules: “even though they can’t wait to be done with it, they’re sticking with it,” he said.