There have been 1,837 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed by the Department of Health in the Irish Republic today; an increase of 9 in the last 24 hours.
There are currently 208 people with Covid-19 receiving treatment in hospitals around the country; 10 more than reported yesterday. Of those hospitalised patients; 31 are being treated in intensive care units (ICU’s).
In Northern Ireland, 1,129 confirmed positive cases have been reported in the last 24 hours, together with, sadly, 1 further related death.
These figures bring to 2,966 the number of new Covid-19 cases confirmed on the island of Ireland in the past 24 hours.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronan Glynn has confirmed that some 5,000 people attended ‘walk-in Covid vaccination centres’ yesterday. Dr. Glynn further stated that with the incidence of Covid-19 continuing to rise here in the Irish Republic, it is important that people understand the level of risk in their local area.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan has stated that only 3% of cases of Covid-19 are now in people aged 65 and older, while highest in those aged between 16 and 34.
According to the HSE, 89% of the adult population within the Irish Republic are now partially vaccinated, with 77% of adults fully vaccinated.
Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Most Reverend Dermot Farrell, has said he is now renewing his advice to parish priests, requesting them to postpone holding Holy Communions and Confirmations for a further month. This new advice follows an announcement by the Government, at Friday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee, in which it noted the deep concerns expressed by church leaders over the sacraments.
Things are getting worse.