PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS have confirmed 1,408 new cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.

The Department of Health has reported that 152 patients are in hospital with Covid-19, including 26 in intensive care units. 

Yesterday, 1,120 cases of Covid-19 were reported, with 142 patients with the illness in hospital, 27 of whom were in intensive care.

Data relating to the number of deaths associated with Covid-19, as well as case numbers by county, have been affected by the cyber attack on the HSE IT systems.

The Department of Health confirmed today that nine more people had died with Covid-19 since its last update in June, bringing the total number of deaths in Ireland to 5,035 – 11 people died in June, 9 people have died in July. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that currently 2% of cases are being hospitalised.

“We know that we would be experiencing many more cases and hospitalisations were it not for the great progress being made in taking up vaccination. We need to keep this up as we move to vaccinate the remaining, mostly younger, cohorts of our population.  

“The more people vaccinated in this country, the less opportunity Covid-19 has to inflict severe illness and disruption on us. If you are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination and have yet to register, please do so as soon as possible,” he said. 

Speaking about vaccination rates, @CMOIreland says that if they continue to be as high as they are in the new cohorts coming on stream, "we'll be out of all of this in terms of the economic and social restrictions that are still in place."

— Rónán Duffy (@ronanduffy_) July 28, 2021

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said that as more people get fully vaccinated “we can expect to see a higher proportion of cases in fully vaccinated people” but that “this does not mean that vaccines are not working and, for those who have been fully vaccinated, their risk of severe illness or hospitalisation as result of Covid-19 is much lower than if they had not been vaccinated.”

“It is vital that as many people as possible take the opportunity to get vaccinated in the weeks ahead – both for their own protection and for the protection of their families and friends. Walk-in centres for vaccination will open this weekend – please take the opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Dr Glynn. 

The median age of today’s cases is 24 with the Delta variant accounting for 90% of all cases.

Following the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC)’s recommendation that mRNA vaccines be used for 12-15-year-olds in Ireland, NIAC Chair Professor KArina Butler said: “I would strongly encourage those aged 12-15 years of age with underlying medical conditions, those living with a younger child with complex medical needs, or with an immunocompromised adult to accept vaccination as soon as it is offered.”