Covid-19: Evening Update

Here's a reminder of today's Covid headlines

COVID-19 UPDATE: 631 Confirmed Cases

As of 8am today, 50 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 15 are in ICU.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said that today is the first time since April that there are over 600 confirmed cases of COVID-19. He added that this is a cause of concern and shows that this disease is prevalent in communities again.

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Pfizer And Bio-N-Tech Seek Approval For Booster Shot

They say data shows a third dose six months after the second dose shows higher efficacy against variants.

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Irish Pharmacy Union Says Not Enough Vaccines To Meet Demand

Up to 200 pharmacies will receive 100 doses of the Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine today.

 It's part of the delivery of 80,000 jabs to nearly 800 pharmacies, who began administering the one-shot vaccine to under-35s on Monday. 

The distribution started on Wednesday and will be finished next Tuesday. 

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Ireland's International Travel Rules 'Anti-Family' According To Ryanair Group CEO

Digital Covid Certificates will be sent to those who are fully vaccinated from next week

Ryanair's Michael O' Leary is calling on the government to remove the requirement for children under 18 to have a negative PCR test before flying home.

He says he wouldn't stop a family from flying if a child tests positive for Covid abroad.

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HSE: Hospitals Will Have To 'Trade Off' Between Non-Covid Care And Confirmed Cases If There's New Surge

The HSE has raised concerns about the possibility of a Delta variant wave.

It says some patients have already had appointments cancelled during lockdown, and sometimes more than once.