LATEST: Ireland tops EU vaccination table, 1,423 new cases of virus confirmed
A further 1,423 more people have died after contracting the coronavirus, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.
There are now 286 people with Covid-19 receiving treatment in hospitals around the country, down 11 from yesterday. Some 63 of these patients are being treated in intensive care units.
Commenting today, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said vaccines are providing “very effective protection” from severe illness, adding that they have “fundamentally changed the risk profile of Covid-19 in Ireland”.
Dr Holohan added: “It is important that all of us receive our Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to us. If you display cold or flu like symptoms like cough, fever, headache, sore throat and blocked or runny nose, self-isolate immediately. Please do not meet up with others or attend events, work or school. Arrange a PCR test through the HSE as soon as possible.”
Over 90% of people aged 16 years and older are now fully vaccinated and 86.8% of those aged 12 years and older have been fully vaccinated.
Ireland has the highest percentage uptake of full vaccination among adults over 18 years of age in the EU, just ahead of Malta and Denmark, according to the European Centre for Disease Control.