The health ministry on Saturday night announced four deaths attributed to Covid-19 and 1,764 new infections.

The four deaths were: three men aged 75, 82 and 90 and one woman aged 88. The 90 and the 75-year-olds died on Friday.

There are 160 Covid-19 patients receiving treatment in hospital, of whom 37 are in serious condition. Of the 37, there are 11 who are intubated.

The ministry said that 66.88 per cent of Covid-19 patients are unvaccinated.

There are a further 28 post Covid-19 (no longer infectious) patients receiving treatment.

Saturday’s cases were identified following 80,454 tests, at a rate of 2.19 per cent being positive.

PCR tests accounted for 6,954 samples and yielded 256 positives at a rate of 3.68 per cent.

Rapid tests totalled 73,500 and uncovered 1,508 positives at a rate of 2.05 per cent.

In care homes, 216 rests uncovered nine cases, a positivity rate of 4.17 per cent.