LATEST: Almost 2,000 new cases of virus confirmed – more than 10,000 this week
A total of 1,978 new cases of Covid-19 are being reported this evening.
That’s an increase of 75 on yesterday’s figures.
According to the Covid data hub, there are now 221 people in hospital who have tested positive for the virus, two more than yesterday’s figure.
There are 43 people in ICU, an increase of six on yesterday’s figures.
Meanwhile, the HSE has confirmed more than 71,000 teenagers aged between 12-15 years have now registered for the vaccine over the first two days the portal was opened to them.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: “We have reported over 10,000 cases in the last week and, while we have very high incidence across Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Louth and Cavan in particular, incidence is rising across all 26 counties.
“In addition, while incidence is particularly high in those aged 16-29 years, incidence is now rising across all age groups.
“While vaccination has very positively impacted on the proportion of positive cases who end up in hospital or critical care, the current high and increasing incidence will nevertheless result in a significant number of people getting very sick with COVID-19.
“At the peak of the second wave in October we had 47 people in critical care. Today we have 43, with eight new admissions in the last 24 hours,” Dr Glynn added.
