Taoiseach urges people to be vigilant as Delta variant cases rise

The Taoiseach is urging people to remain vigilant as the number of cases of the Delta variant rise.

The strain, first detected in India, accounted for 20% of new covid cases last week.

Speaking before Cabinet this morning, Ministers indicated the July reopening remains on track but care has to be taken.

Micheál Martin says people need to keep their guard up.

"I think the situation has been positive, certainly up to now in terms of the incidence level, and the disease has been declining in the last number of weeks and the most recent letter from NPHET confirms that.

"The share of the incidence is changing, and there is a significant increase in the incidence of the Delta variant as a share of the overall incidence of the variant.

"We will obviously keep this under very close monitoring - I think we all need to be vigilant."