1,496 new cases of covid-19 have been reported this evening.
248 patients are in hospital with the virus, with 54 of those receiving intensive care.
The 14-day incidence rate is now 493 per 100,000 - the highest it's been since January 31st.
An average of 6 people with COVID-19 are being admitted to ICU per day - which is twice as many as this day last week.
Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology, says the recent high case numbers should fall as more people get vaccinated:
Statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1496 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As of 8am today, 248 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 54 are in ICU.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said: “As a public health doctor, I am keenly aware of the impact the public health advice has had on all in society. Making the decision not to attend work or socialise if you are displaying symptoms can be very difficult. Similarly, choosing to leave a family gathering or social event because it doesn’t feel safe is hard and can cause anxiety.
“Unfortunately, the fact remains that incidence of COVID-19 in Ireland is continuing to increase. Our current 14-day incidence is 493 per 100,000, the highest it’s been since January 31, and incidence of disease is continuing to rise steadily in nearly all age groups and in 21 out of 26 counties. Last Tuesday, we were seeing an average of 3 people with COVID-19 admitted to ICU per day, today, that figure has doubled to 6 people with COVID-19 admitted to ICU per day.
“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 admitted to hospital for every thousand cases reported.
“We have an opportunity over the next few weeks to break the chains of transmission by continuing to follow the public health advice that is second nature to most of us at this stage. If you have any symptoms that indicate that you may have COVID-19 like cough, fever, headache, sore throat and blocked or runny nose - isolate and get a test immediately. Make plans to socialise safely and risk assess as you go, meet up with others outdoors, if possible, try to meet up in small groups and avoid crowds. If you do not feel safe, then leave. Ensure to attend for your COVID-19 vaccine when it is your turn to do so, particularly for your second dose.”
