LATEST: Almost 22,000 new cases of virus but hospital numbers fall
A further 21,926 people have contracted Covid-19, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.
And the number of people being treated in hospital for the virus now stands at 936, a drop of five. Of these, 84 patients are being treated in ICU, down six on yesterday.
The figures come as Health Service Executive (HSE) chief executive Paul Reid warned the latest wave of infection is having a “very significant impact” on staffing.
He told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne there has been an increase of about 140% in hospitalisations over a 14-day period – and almost 60% in a week.
