LATEST: Almost 2,000 new cases of virus confirmed – highest total in seven months
A total of 1,903 new cases of Covid-19 are being reported this evening – the highest daily figure since January 23.
That’s an increase of 84 on yesterday’s figures.
According to the Covid data hub, there are now 219 people in hospital who have tested positive for the virus, 13 more than yesterday’s figure.
There are 37 people in ICU, an increase of one on yesterday’s figures.
Meanwhile, the HSE has confirmed more than 50,000 teenagers aged between 12-15 years today registered for the vaccine on the first day the portal was opened to them.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “We know that vaccines work. They are about 80% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease and they provide approximately 95% protection against hospitalisation.
“This protection against severe disease holds up even in the context of the Delta variant.
“Ireland’s vaccination programme is currently preventing at least 2,700 cases per week per million population,” Dr Holohan added.
