Coronavirus 1408 cases reported in State with 26 in ICU

A further 1,408 cases of coronavirus were reported in the State on Wednesday, according to a statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

As of 8am, on Wednesday, 152 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of whom 26 are in ICU.

In a statement, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said 2 per cent of cases are being hospitalised.

“We know that we would be experiencing many more cases and hospitalisations were it not for the great progress being made in taking up vaccination. We need to keep this up as we move to vaccinate the remaining, mostly younger, cohorts of our population,” he said.

“The more people vaccinated in this country, the less opportunity Covid-19 has to inflict severe illness and disruption on us. If you are eligible for a Covid-19 vaccination and have yet to register, please do so as soon as possible.

“If you are waiting to be fully vaccinated, please continue to follow the public health advice; manage your social contacts, meet outdoors, stay 2m apart, wear masks, wash/sanitize hands regularly and avoid non-essential travel abroad. If you are experiencing symptoms of cold and flu: headache, sore throat, runny nose, stay at home and get tested as soon as possible for Covid-19.”

Deputy chief medical officer Ronan Glynn said vaccination is having a very positive impact on the risk profile of Covid-19 in Ireland.

“As more people get fully vaccinated we can expect to see a higher proportion of cases in fully vaccinated people,” said Dr Glynn.

“This does not mean that vaccines are not working and, for those who have been fully vaccinated, their risk of severe illness or hospitalisation as result of Covid-19 is much lower than if they had not been vaccinated.”

Dr Glynn said it was vital that as many people as possible take the opportunity to get vaccinated in the weeks ahead, and that vaccination walk-in centres will open this weekend.

Prof Philip Nolan, Chair of the Nphet Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said the median age of the cases being reported on Wednesday is 24 years.

“The current trajectory of the more transmissible Delta variant across the country means that unvaccinated people remain at high risk of contracting Covid-19,” said Prof Nolan. He said unvaccinated people should continue to take all public health precautions.

Prof Karina Butler, chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac), said the committee had examined and recommended the use of mRNA vaccines for people aged 12-15. “Clinical trials estimated efficacy of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as 100% in these age groups, making them extremely effective in preventing infection in this age cohort,” said Prof Butler.

“I would strongly encourage those aged 12-15 years of age with underlying medical conditions, those living with a younger child with complex medical needs, or with an immunocompromised adult to accept vaccination as soon as it is offered.”

Dr Cillian De Gascun, Medical Virologist and Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, said more than 90 per cent of all cases are now caused by the more transmissible Delta variant.

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