Over 16s to be vaccinated by end of September

Everyone over the age of 16 who seeks a vaccine will be immunised by the end of September.

Everyone over the age of 16 who seeks a vaccine will be immunised by the end of September as the Government also looks to vaccinate even younger people later this year.

The Cabinet has been told that Department of Health is now examining the possibility of extending vaccinations to children between the ages of 12 and 15 in the autumn. 

Booster shots for those in at-risk groups are being looked at ahead of the winter.

Ministers also agreed that under 12s will no longer have to get a PCR test to enter the country.

The Department of Health has reported a further 589 new cases of the Covid-19 virus.

Currently, 62 people are hospitalised with the virus, of which  17 are in intensive care.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has said the Delta variant now accounts for 80% of all cases reported in Ireland.

"This is a challenge that is facing all of Europe, but we know that the basic public health measures still work against this variant. 

Please continue to avoid crowds, wear a mask, manage your contacts, keep your distance, meet outdoors where possible and if indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated," he said.

Dr Glynn also urged anyone presenting with Covid-19 symptoms to organize a free test immediately.

“With incidence of the disease continuing to increase, the rapid identification of cases and outbreaks of Covid-19 is essential. 

"We are asking anyone diagnosed with Covid-19 to work with our contact tracers to identify all of your close contacts so that they, their families, and colleagues can be protected. 

If you know you are a close contact of someone with Covid-19, or if you have any symptoms, stay at home and organize a free test as soon as possible," he said.

Rising cases due to Delta variant restrictions easing 'inevitable'

A public health expert says the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland is inevitable because of the Delta variant and easing of restrictions.

Professor of Infectious Diseases at the school of medicine in University College Dublin, Jack Lambert, says the country reopening means the virus can circulate more.

On Monday, 600 cases of Covid-19 were recorded, and 64 hospitalisations, of which 16 are in intensive care.

Professor Lambert told Newstalk that slowing down the reopening of society to keep numbers down is not the answer.

"We've been the slowest to reopen in almost the world in terms of what we've been doing. It's not just about the numbers," he said.

"If you look what's happened in the UK now that we're seeing increasing the numbers but 90% less serious cases, ending up in hospital.

"We're in a different situation now than before, and we have to actually learn from our mistakes, and I really believe we need to come up with a living with Covid strategy that allows us to reopen safely."

Professor Lambert added: "There are ways to live safely with COVID rather than just saying, hold on, slow down the numbers are increasing.

"You can't plan for having a reopening of our hospitality industry and our travel industry by having this "yes but no but yes", changing every day based on numbers, because the numbers are not translating into impact in the hospitals."

'A reckless mistake'

However, a Solidarity People Before Profit TD has described plans to reopen the indoor hospitality sector as “a reckless mistake.” 

Paul Murphy TD warned that if the reopening of the sector goes ahead then the number of cases of Covid-19 would rise from 600 per day to 2,000 to 3,000 per day/ Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Paul Murphy said the decision was at “the behest” of a private business lobby and would come at a cost to public health.

“The Government is rushing into this,” he added.

Mr Murphy warned that if the reopening of the sector goes ahead then the number of cases of Covid-19 would rise from 600 per day to 2,000 to 3,000 per day and then there would be no choice but to impose another lockdown.

"That would be absolutely devastating for people," he said.

“We know it’s not a safe time now.” 

If the Government were to wait until September/October when everyone who wanted to be was vaccinated then the sector could open safely then when there was herd immunity, he said.

There was no question that this was a difficult time for the hospitality industry, he said, but there was no safe way to reopen the sector.

It was safer to be outside and there were “zero laws” about ventilation, he added.

500 days

Today marks 500 days since the first case of coronavirus was recorded in Ireland.

The Chief Medical Officer said we have "come a long way together" and much has been sacrificed.

“As we approach our five millionth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, we have great hope for our future," said Dr Tony Holohan.

"Our vaccination programme is working, the levels of protection in the community against the virus are increasing daily and those who are fully vaccinated should feel safe to increase their social contacts and to take advantage of new freedoms while continuing to make positive public health choices in their daily routine," he said.