Covid-19: Evening Update

Here's a reminder of today's Covid headlines

COVID-19 UPDATE: 393 New Cases

The Department of Health has been notified of that there are currently 48 people in hospital with the virus down 10 on the same day last week

While 14 Covid patients are in intensive care, down 8 over the same period. 

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Head Of Covid Vaccine Taskforce Says Country Set To Receive Biggest Delivery Of Pfizer Jabs To Date

Professor Brian MacCraith's told the Irish Independent that 600,000 doses will be delivered over the next fortnight

He says the vaccine programme will gain "very significant momentum" in the next few weeks as the wait time for the second dose of AstraZeneca is reduced and vaccinations begin in younger cohorts.

He says the ramp-up is being driven by the threat of the Delta variant.

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Head Of HSE Says Country Is Seeing Benefits Of Vaccination As Hospital Numbers Now Down To 44

Paul Reid says 15 of those patients with Covid-19 are in ICU.

He says there are 21 hospitals with just one case or less. 

Immunology Professor Dr Tomas Ryan says the Delta variant is leading to increased hospitalisations in the UK.

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Finance Minister: Pubs And Hotels Will Again Be 'Safe Places To Meet'

Speaking last night at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis, Paschal Donohoe said "hospitality is an incredible part of society"

He paid tribute to the way they coped when asked to close - and said they deserve support now they're ready to reopen.