Ireland is at a "delicate point" and now is not the time for people to relax public health measures, the Chair of NPHET Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group has warned.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said the issue with the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine is very frustrating and he said he spoke to the company about his concerns with supply last night.

US President Joe Biden has offered his Covid-weary nation a glimpse of an almost normal 4 July, outlining in a speech how the US can defeat the coronavirus if people stay united on prevention measures and get vaccinated.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee has recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine can be used for those aged 70 years and older, in fresh advice to the Department of Health.

While the pandemic has been emotionally challenging for us all, many fear its impact on teenagers has been particularly severe.

More twins, almost one in 40 children, are being born than ever before, according to research, citing the rapid rise in medically assisted reproduction as a major factor.

A free online course to help the public find happiness during the pandemic has attracted 14,000 people.

A UN expert has warned that the military junta in Myanmar is likely committing "crimes against humanity" in its attempt to stay in power.

As Covid-19 cases fall, Ireland will rely on public health specialists to control outbreaks of the disease. But those specialists say the system, which relies on limited software, is under-resourced, reports Rita O'Reilly.

Thailand has joined several European nations in suspending the AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fears, despite a range of health authorities around the world insisting it was safe.

A resolution is to be introduced in the US Senate next week voicing support for the Good Friday Agreement.

Netflix is testing a feature which may lead to a crackdown on users sharing their passwords.

The Ombudsman for Children said the Government did not put children at the centre of decisions on education, and asks it to dream big for Ireland's recovery.

The Irish Coast Guard has temporarily suspended cliff rescues for safety reasons.

There was a cautious note sounded at the latest briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team amid some concern about a recent levelling off of Covid-19 case numbers.

Gardaí searching land in Drogheda, Co Louth as part of the investigation into the murder of a teenager have discovered partial skeletal remains.

Residents of long-term residential care facilities, including nurses homes, can receive two visits per week from 22 March, according to new guidelines announced by the Department of Health.

Three of the four stillbirths first reported last week, which were suspected to have been caused by Covid-19, were indeed caused by the virus, the coroner's office has confirmed to NPHET.

A Wexford woman whose grandmother is in a nursing home has welcomed the easing of visitor restrictions saying "she really needs to see family".

The board of stockbroker Davy has said that it has decided to pursue a sale of the group.