Covid-19 Ireland: 259 new cases confirmed, 27 in intensive care unit

259 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Ministry of Health this afternoon.

There are now 76 patients with Covid-19 in Irish hospitals, 27 of whom are in intensive care units.

HSE CEO Paul Reed said today that a total of 3.1 million Covid-19 vaccines have now been given in Ireland.

“We are now seeing strong benefits. Decreased illness, hospitalizations, intensive care admissions and deaths.”

“Only 7 pcs of daily Covid-19 cases are now 55+. The three-way strategy, vaccines, testing/tracing, and public health measures are working.”

This month, people in their 50s who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in May will get their second dose and be fully vaccinated.

But the gap between doses is at least eight weeks for most of those in their 60s who get their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This also applies to a large number of people with underlying diseases.

Everyone between the ages of 40 and 69 can now register for their first dose via the online vaccination portal.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin discussed the success of the recent deregulation.

«[It] It was a very important day for bars and restaurants with the reopening of outdoor hospitality. This of course demonstrates the continued progress we are making in reopening our society and economy, and getting thousands of people back to work.”

Speaking yesterday in Cork about the possibility of indoor dining in July, he added: «We need to take one step at a time. Right now, we need to figure out how that works and we’ll evaluate that.»

“Towards the end of the month, we will be conducting an additional evaluation.”

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is looking to continue reopening society, pushing people back to work in offices by August.

“For now, we plan to return in phases to offices and workplaces from September,” said Tanesti.

«Provided that the vaccine program continues to increase and the virus remains under control, I think August will make more sense than September.»