LATEST: Another rise in cases of virus as restaurants plan new reopening date

A further 562 people have contracted the coronavirus amid growing concerns about a surge in Delta variant cases, it was confirmed this evening.

There are 48 patients being treated for Covid-19 in hospital, with 14 in ICU, which is unchanged from yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has said the Government must set a date for the reopening of indoor hospitality ‘as a matter of urgency’.

RAI chief executive Adrian Cummins said the sector is now working towards July 19 “as the reopening date”.

Mr Cummins was speaking ahead of talks between the hospitality industry and the Government due to take place tomorrow.

Indoor hospitality was due to resume tomorrow as part of the next phase of easing Covid-19 restrictions. But a decision was taken to delay the reopening on foot of advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) over concerns about rising cases of the Delta variant.