MORE than 70% of all new Covid-19 cases are now accounted for by the Delta variant, Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has said.
Another 365 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by health officials today.
There are 51 patients in hospital with the disease, 14 of those are being treated in ICU.
No daily figures are available for the number of cases in each county.
Donegal has Ireland’s highest incidence rate of Covid-19. The county’s 14-day incidence rate is 283 per 100,000 – almost three times the national average. A total of 451 cases were confirmed in Donegal up to 1st July, while the five day moving average is 43.
Commenting on figures this evening, Dr Tony Holohan said: “In excess of 70% of all cases are now accounted for by the Delta variant.
“While this variant continues to present a threat, those of us who are fully vaccinated can have confidence in their vaccine and should feel comfortable meeting with other fully vaccinated people in all settings.
“Unfortunately, the Delta variant continues to present a risk to those of us who are unvaccinated or waiting for a second dose of vaccine – we need to continue to follow the public health advice, manage you contacts, avoid crowds, wear a mask, wash your hands and most importantly get your COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered to you.”