Another 1,071 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the state.
The new cases were confirmed by the Ministry of Health on Monday evening, after it was earlier reported as 1,017 new cases.
The department also said the number in hospital with Covid-19 is now 101, and the number in the intensive care unit is 20.
Amid these latest numbers, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “While we continue to enjoy good weather, we unfortunately continue to see a rise in morbidity across all major indicators. The 14-day infection rate is now the highest in 24 years. February at 231 [new cases]/ 100,000 [population]. Our five-day average is 1,159 cases per day, the highest level since February 2nd.
“If you are fully vaccinated, you can be confident in your vaccine and enjoy socializing and meeting other vaccinated people indoors, as long as you continue to follow basic public health precautions.
“If you are waiting to be fully vaccinated, it is best to continue to socialize outdoors.
If you have planned to attend a social event, and you develop symptoms of Covid-19, including seasonal cold and flu symptoms such as headache, sore throat and runny nose; Please stay at home, do not attend this event. This applies regardless of your vaccination status. Let your close acquaintances know how you feel, isolate yourself and get tested. It can be tempting to put off getting tested, but as soon as you feel symptoms, the best way to protect yourself and others is to arrange a test right away.»
On Monday, the country’s Covid-19 vaccine portal opened for people aged 18 to 24 who wish to choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine. Those in that age group who wish to do so can register at vaccineThe move comes after the vaccination portal opened on Friday for young people between the ages of 25 and 29.
The Department of Health tweeted Monday that nearly 80 percent of the state’s adult population has now received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
northern Ireland
Meanwhile, more than 1,700 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in a single day in the north.
Another person died of the disease there, bringing the total death toll in Northern Ireland from Covid-19 since the pandemic began to 2,163.
The 1,776 new positive cases reported in the 24-hour period through Monday represent a more than threefold increase since Sunday, when 537 new cases were reported.
While the rate of new cases reached the peak of the latest wave in January, the latest figures from the Stormont Department of Health show that the numbers of patients hospitalized with the disease are much lower than they were at the beginning of the year.
There were 109 people in northern hospitals with Covid-19 on Monday, up from 92 on Friday and 80 on Thursday. There were seven in the intensive care unit, up from two on Friday.
In mid-January, when case numbers were at their last peak, there were 834 people with Covid-19 in northern hospitals and 74 in the intensive care unit, according to the department’s Covid dashboard.
Stormont’s health minister, Robin Swan, has announced that some children in the North will be offered Covid-19 vaccines.
The move comes after the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab for those aged 12 and over.
The vaccination will be offered to children aged 12 to 15 years with specific underlying health conditions, including severe neurological disabilities, Down syndrome, immunosuppression and learning disabilities.
Children 12 years of age or older who live with someone who is immunocompromised will also be given an injection.
“Our vaccination program has always been guided by expert advice,” said Mr. Swann.
«The drug regulator’s decision to approve the Pfizer vaccine for use in this younger age group was made only after a rigorous evaluation of both safety and efficacy.»
The North’s chief medical officer, Dr Michael McBride, said the evidence «strongly suggests» that while nearly all children and young adults are at very low risk of Covid-19, a small number of those with underlying chronic conditions are at increased risk and would benefit from protection. provided by vaccination.