CASES of Covid-19 are on the increase in all 26 counties in the State, with 10,000 cases reported in the last week alone.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn says the numbers show people cannot grow complacent, despite Ireland’s ongoing vaccine rollout.
The latest daily figures from Ireland’s Department of Health reveal there were 2,074 new Covid-19 cases to midnight, up from 1,978 on Thursday.
'Come so far'
In his latest update, Dr Glynn praised Ireland’s vaccination programme, saying it had more than halved expected hospital admissions.
“We’ve come so far with our vaccination programme and it been fantastic to see people of all ages coming forward for vaccination, with almost 80 per cent of adults now fully vaccinated,” he said.
“This is having a real and significant impact on the disease profile here, with vaccines now preventing at least 10,000 cases and about 500 hospital admissions every week.
“If we didn’t have vaccination, our current 14-day incidence would be approximately 1,000 per 100,000 and we would be seeing up to 50 people admitted to hospital for every 1,000 cases reported.
“Instead, we are seeing about 20 people admit to hospital for every 1,000 cases reported.”
Rising daily admissions
However, Dr Glynn said that with 10,000 cases in the past week alone, the picture is much worse than it was early in the summer.
There was very high incidence of cases across Counties Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Louth and Cavan, while the 16-29 age group in particular had seen a spike in cases.
However, numbers were on the rise across all counties and all age groups, said Dr Glynn.
“At the beginning of July, we had an average of seven admissions per day to hospital,” he said.
“Over the past week, we have recorded 31 admissions per day.
As of midnight, Friday 13 August, we are reporting 2,074* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
As of 8am today, 229 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 43 are in ICU.
*Daily case numbers may change due to future data validation.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) August 14, 2021
“In early July, less than one person was being admitted to ICU on average per day; over the last week, we have seen four admissions to ICU per day.
“Given the level of disease that is now circulating in our community, it is essential that we all do what we can to deny this virus opportunities to transmit.”
Dr Glynn recommended meeting outdoors in small groups where possible and continuing to use face masks.
He advised anyone with symptoms, even if vaccinated, to isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
As of 8am today, 229 COVID-19 patients are in hospital, of which 43 are in ICU, according to the Department of Health
