LATEST: Holahan warns about bringing chlidren for indoor dining amid surge in new cases

Another 783 cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health this evening.

There are currently 20 people in ICUs being treated for Covid-19 – an increase of three from yesterday. There are now 73 people being treated in hospital.

Commenting on the worrying surge in cases, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan advised it is safer not to bring children into indoor dining settings.

Dr Tony Holohan said for those who wished to go out with their children, “dining outdoors is still possible”.

The Government is planning to allow pubs and restaurants to serve indoors again next week to those who can demonstrate proof of being fully vaccinated.

The children of those fully vaccinated will also be permitted to enter such settings with their parent or guardian.

However, Dr Holohan this evening siad that caution still needs to be exercised given the spread of the Delta variant around the country.

“You don’t have to go indoors,” he said. “We know that Delta transmission among children can happen.”