NPHET has warned about "concerning trends" in relation to COVID-19 and has said Ireland's situation "remains precarious".

According to Prof Philip Nolan, chair of NPHET's Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, there are concerns that increases in mobility and workplace attendance could potentially increase infection in the coming weeks.

"We are seeing continued, slow progress across all indicators of COVID-19. However, there are some concerning trends in the data and as the incidence remains high, our situation is precarious.

"The R-number is estimated as stable at 0.6-1.0, but it is essential over the next few weeks that we stay home, continue to limit our contacts and suppress transmission," he insisted.

Prof Nolan made his comments after it was revealed that 10 more deaths related to COVID and 592 more cases had been confirmed on Thursday evening.

Also speaking about the latest figures, the Department of Health's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, welcomed the news that a fourth vaccine had been approved by the European Medicines Agency. He said that vaccines "offer us a way out of the pandemic".

The fourth vaccine is made by Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. It is a single-dose vaccine and Ireland has an advance purchase agreement for 600,000 doses between April and June.

"We must continue to protect as many people as possible from the severe effects of COVID-19 and to give people a chance to become vaccinated over the next number of weeks and months.

"Your efforts to limit contacts and follow the public health advice is not in vain, it is to protect people and it directly saves lives," Dr Glynn commented.

Meanwhile, the department also confirmed that changes are to be made to rules around nursing home visits. From March 22, residents will be allowed two visits per week and there will be no requirement to limit these visits to less than one hour. Currently, residents can only receive one visit every two weeks.

According to the CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, Tadhg Daly, this marks "a significant step forward".

"Nursing home residents, families and staff have had the toughest of years and this easing will make a psychological difference to many and give hope to the wider population that the vaccination programme is proving extremely effective in fighting the virus. Resumption of in-person visits will bring great relief and happiness within our nursing homes," he commented.