The latest Covid statistics for Mayo University Hospital revealed

Eight confirmed Covid-19 cases are care at Mayo University Hospital today.

That's according to statistics recorded by the HSE at 8 p.m. yesterday.

The intensive care unit at the Castlebar facility has one confirmed and two suspected Covid patients.

The hospital has one vacant general bed and one vacant critical care bed, no change in 24 hours.

Nationally, there are 311 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals, a jump of 11, and 115 suspected cases, gown by 18.

There are 34 Covid-19 patients in intensive care units, a rise of three.

The entire country moves to Level 5 restrictions from midnight tonight.

Meanwhile, The Irish Times is reporting today that the HSE is to ask people who received a positive Covid-19 test result last weekend to alert their own close contacts.

The people involved will receive a text message today, which can be forwarded with advice for anyone they deem to be a close contact.

The HSE said its contact tracing teams have faced unprecedented pressures this month due to the increasing positivity rate.