55% of Irish adults have had at least one Covid jab, Taoiseach says

Crowds sitting outside the Cornstore in Cork enjoying some food and drink.

Close to fifty-five percent of Irish adults have received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and 26 percent are fully vaccinated against the virus. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the figures in a vaccination programme update posted on Twitter earlier this evening. 

Mr Martin has said the country's Covid-19 vaccination programme was continuing "very effectively and efficiently" with more than three million doses now administered here in total.

A big day for pubs and restaurants with the reopening of outdoor hospitality and thousands back at work.

55% of the population are now vaccinated with at least one dose - our Economic Recovery Plan unveils a pathway for recovery from this pandemic. pic.twitter.com/oNXOW9bVVA

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 7, 2021

 

"Tremendous tribute must be paid to the HSE, to our GPs, and all those who have been involved in the vaccination programme," the Taoiseach said.

Mr Martin also said today was a very significant day for pubs and restaurants reopening with outdoor services.

"That illustrates the containing progress we are making in reopening society and our economy and bringing thousands of people back to work," he said. 

Birthday girl Claire Jordan and friend Kellie O’Connor enjoy a drink in the Teach Beag Bar in Tralee as pubs across the country reopened their doors for outdoor diners today

Meanwhile, a further 377 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed by officials at the Department of Health.

The number of people in hospital has fallen to 69, a decrease of one from yesterday’s figure of 70.

At present, there are 26 patients with Covid-19 in intensive care units, a decrease of one from yesterday's figure of 27.

As with previous updates, the department said daily case numbers may change due to future data review and validation.

The Department is urging that anyone who displays symptoms of Covid-19, or who suspects that are a close contact of a confirmed case, to contact their local test centre to arrange a test. 

Those awaiting test results are urged to self-isolate until they receive them.

As of midnight, Sunday 6 June, we are reporting 377* confirmed cases of #COVID19.

26 in ICU. 69 in hospital.

*Daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) June 7, 2021

Outdoor services resume at bars, Cafés and restaurants

Barman Karl Bradshaw serving Aoife Ferguson, Jess Stokes and David O'Connell outside the iconic Dublin pub Grogan’s which is re-opening after 15 months with some of the millions of fresh pints of Heineken brewed especially for the re-opening of Ireland’s pubs as they open outdoor service today following the longest lockdown in Europe. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan

Bars, restaurants and cafes around the country resumed outdoor services today, as part of the latest lifting of restrictions on the country's hospitality sector.

For some pubs, it was their first time re-opening in over a year.

Also from today, gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres and cinemas are permitted to reopen.

The number of people who can attend a wedding celebration or reception increases to 25, while the number of people allowed to attend outdoor events can now increase to 100, or a maximum of 200 people, in venues with a capacity of 5,000 or greater.

Small crowds are also permitted to attend certain sporting events from today.

The latest easing of restrictions will see about 70,000 people who have been out of work as a result of the extended Covid-19 lockdown able to return to the workplace.

However, as restrictions ease, health officials have urged people to continue to observe public health guidelines such as avoiding crowds and maintaining social distancing.

The Department of Health has also reiterated that the current advice is for people to continue to work from home unless it's necessary to attend in person. 

New test centre in Limerick

The new test centre in Limerick will open at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. File Pic: Larry Cummins.

Meanwhile, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare has announced the establishment of a free walk-in and drive-through Covid-19 testing centre in the county.

The new centre will open at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale on Tuesday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 9. The free testing service will operate from 11am to 7pm on both days.

The operation will be led by HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare and is supported by Public Health Mid-West and the National Ambulance Service (NAS).

News of the new centre comes on the back of rapidly increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in Limerick over the last week or so.

Over the month of May, a total of 18,214 tests were taken, 1,370 more than at the height of the third wave in January.

Since May 16, some 17,248 tests have been done between two testing facilities in Limerick city - one, on the Ballysimon Rd, which has been operating since last October and another at St Joseph’s Health Campus on Mulgrave Street.

Over the same time period, there have been 970 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Limerick, meaning roughly 5.5% of those tested have come back positive.