Another 2,193 cases of Covid have been reported today with 513 patients with the virus in hospital, of whom 97 are in intensive care.
The Chief Medical Officer said he is “increasingly worried about the rising incidence of the disease nationwide.”
Dr Tony Holohan added that “our primary focus now must be to protect the most vulnerable from Covid-19.”
He added “We are seeing a continuing increase in hospitalisation and intensive care admissions – a substantial amount of whom are not fully vaccinated – placing our frontline healthcare services, including non-Covid care, under significant pressure.”
“It is essential that we do everything we can to break the chains of transmission of the Delta variant in the community, in the workplace and in our homes.”
Dr Holohan appealed to people who experience symptoms of the virus, even if they are vaccinated, to stay at home, isolate from others and arrange a test immediately.
He also called on those who are not vaccinated against Covid-19 to avail of a vaccine, saying it will “significantly reduce your risk of severe illness if you contract the disease” and is “our best defence against” the virus.