Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer has expressed concern over rising Covid-19 hospitalisations following an increase in daily case numbers in recent weeks.
Another 397 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by health officials today.
There are 54 patients in hospital with the disease, 16 of those are being treated in ICU. The number of new hospitalisations is up by three and the number of critical patients is up by two.
No daily figures are available for the number of cases in each county. However, Donegal incidence rate has risen again and continues to be Ireland’s highest. The county’s 14-day incidence rate is 342 per 100,000 – more than three times the national average. A total of 545 cases were confirmed in Donegal up to 4th July, while the five day moving average is 51.
Commenting this evening, CMO Dr Tony Holohan said: “We are seeing a small but concerning increase in hospitalisations in recent days, coming 10-14 days after the five day moving average of daily case numbers began to increase.
“This is a cause for concern and we will be monitoring it closely in the days and weeks ahead. Full vaccination is needed to protect against COVID-19, including the Delta variant.
“To protect yourselves and your loved ones, it is extremely important to take up the opportunity of being vaccinated and come forward for your second dose as soon as it is offered to you. The second vaccination is very effective at preventing both disease and hospitalisation.”
