COVID-19 LATEST: Seven new deaths and 206 cases nationwide

On the day the Government chose to ease Level 5 restrictions, the daily statement NPHET statement for Friday, November 27 confirms that less the 5 new cases were confirmed in Laois in the 24 hours to midnight, Thursday, November 26.

In Roscommon - Less than 5 new cases, an incidence rate of 122.4 and 79 cases.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed this evening that Ireland's 14-day incidence rate is now 98.2 cases per 100,000. The incidence has risen to 57.9 per 100,000 of the population on the back of 49 cases in the two weeks to November 26.

There have been at least 970 cases confirmed in Laois since February.

The total number of Covid-19 related deaths registered in the calendar year up to 20 November has reached 1,301.

On this basis, deaths of care home residents account for 42% of all Covid-19-related deaths; however, no assumptions can be made in relation to where or when the deceased contracted the disease.

These figures are based on patients having previously tested positive for the virus, whereas the Nisra figures are based on the information entered on death certificates completed by medical professionals.

Elsewhere, there are 29 cases in Kilkenny, 23 in Limerick, 20 in Donegal, 19 in Tipperary and 19 in Cork.

Meanwhile, there have been 15 additional hospitalisations in the past twenty-four hours.

Restrictions on inter-county travel and the ban on household visits are set to remain in place until 18 December.