DUBLIN: Public health officials confirmed yesterday that 2,098 more people in Ireland have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the highest number of cases recorded since January of this year.
In a statement, Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer said: “For the second time in a week, we are reporting over 2,000 cases. We haven’t seen this number of cases since late January 2021. This is a concerning indication of the level of COVID-19 circulating in our communities.”
There are 251 people being treated in hospitals for the infection, including 52 in intensive care.
CMO Tony Holohan encouraged people to get vaccinated and to remain cautious about the COVID-19 risk. “To protect everyone and to safeguard the progress we have made, please follow the public health advice to limit transmission of COVID-19,” Dr Holohan said.
HSE plans to close gap between first and second doses
The Health Service Executive aims to close the gap between second and first COVID-19 vaccine doses in the coming weeks, its Chief Executive said.
Paul Reid said that 6.54 million vaccines have been administered in Ireland so far, and that more than 90% of adults have been partially vaccinated and more than 84% of the adult population has been fully vaccinated.
“So, what we have to do [over the] next few weeks is close that gap now between second and first doses,” he said.
Mr Reid said the HSE is also focusing on the younger population, adding that 130,000 12- to 15-year-olds have registered for the vaccination, and over 65,000 having already received their shot.
“So, priorities right now: complete those adults; work through the 16s and 17s, which we are working through at the moment; and also complete the vaccination programme for 12 to 15-year-olds and that’s the current phase of what we’re at,” he said.
Meanwhile, more walk-in clinics offering the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are in operation this weekend, said Damien McCallion, director of the HSE Vaccination Campaign.
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