A further 1,861 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning there were 249 patients hospitalised with COVID in Ireland, of whom 54 are in the ICU.
There have been a total of 5,074 deaths due to the virus since the beginning of the pandemic in Ireland.
“The number of patients with COVID-19 in hospital and ICU has continued to increase in recent weeks,” warned Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer.
“At the moment, 43% of patients with COVID-19 in ICU are aged less than 50 years of age. This is a stark reminder to all of us to continue to adhere to the public health guidance and to ensure to receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it offered.”
“In the main, we have seen very high vaccination figures in our population, particularly in the over 60s cohort who were offered their vaccines first.”
“Unfortunately, incidence of disease is increasing across all age groups. COVID-19 vaccines are ensuring that those who are fully vaccinated are protected from the severe illness and poor outcomes related to this disease.”
He said that for every case confirmed among people who are fully vaccinated, there are four more being prevented by the vaccines.
