There have been a further 17,065 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning there were 1,023 COVID patients hospitalised with the disease in Ireland.
But the intensive care numbers have remained steady at 83 patients nationwide in the ICU.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that there have been “exceptional levels” of vaccine uptake here.
In Ireland, 59% of the adult population have gotten their booster dose to date, compared with a 32% average across Europe.
He added that the “primary purpose” of vaccination has always been to prevent serious illness and death, which it is continuing to do.
“COVID-19 vaccines continue to prove remarkably effective in this regard and have provided significant protection to the most vulnerable and to our health system in recent weeks”
The booster dose is bringing protection against severe cases of the disease back up to 90%, Tony Holohan said, contrasting that just 20% of cases in the ICU have received their booster.
“In addition, we know that those who have been boosted are less susceptible to infection and, if infected, are less infectious to others, compared with those who have not been boosted.”
“It is important that those who have not yet availed of a booster vaccine now do so; appointments are available through vaccination centres, GPs and pharmacies.”
The COVID-19 data hub provides detailed information about the disease in the community, including the rollout of the booster campaign.
