Ireland's highest incidence of Covid is among people aged 16 to 34

Last weekend saw the opening of walk-in vaccination centres where over 30,000 people availed of a vaccine.

Ireland’s current highest incidence rate of Covid-19 is among young people aged between 16 and 34, new data shows.

The Delta variant is continuing to spread through the largely unvaccinated population.

The National Public Health Emergency Team has reported 1,837 new cases of Covid-19, nine more than were reported yesterday.

This is the highest reported daily figure since the middle of January 2021.

There were 208 people in Irish hospitals who have tested positive for the coronavirus, an overnight rise of 10.

There were also 31 people in intensive care units (ICU), two fewer than was reported yesterday.

The 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 has reached 417 per 100,000 cases.

Just 3% of cases of coronavirus are now in people aged 65 and over, the deputy chief medical officer said.

Dr Ronan Glynn said the incidence of Covid in Ireland is currently high.

“There remains significant uncertainty in terms of the underlying trends, including the potential effect of the recent August Bank Holiday weekend on case numbers and referral patterns,” he warned.

Just 3% of cases of coronavirus are now in people aged 65 and over, the deputy chief medical officer said. Picture: Paddy Cummins /Collins Dublin

“With over 18,000 cases in the last fortnight, Ireland’s 14-day incidence rate has now increased to 386 per 100,000 population, the highest it has been since the start of February.

“Incidence remains particularly high, above 500 per 100,000, in Donegal, Louth, Galway, Mayo and Monaghan.

“Although the link between cases and severe disease has been substantially weakened through vaccination, it has not been completely broken and, unfortunately, due to the high incidence, we continue to see an increasing number of people in hospital, with about 190 inpatients at present, approximately 30 of whom are in critical care.

“We are experiencing a high level of disease and the outlook over the coming days is uncertain.

“What is not uncertain is that we can alter the course of this disease through the simple measures that we are so familiar with.

“What there is also no uncertainty about is the phenomenal uptake of Covid vaccines by people of all ages across Ireland.”

Just 3% of cases of #COVID19 are now in people aged 65 years and older.

Incidence of #COVID19 is highest in those aged 16-34 years of age.

🦠ℹ️👇👇pic.twitter.com/Dht585t4ZE

— Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) August 8, 2021

In the North, one further death of a patient who had tested positive for Covid-19 has been reported.

The Department of Health said there had also been 1,129 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period.

A total of 2,316,713 vaccines have been administered.

More than 5,000 attend walk-in vaccine clinics

A further 5,000 people have received a Covid-19 vaccine at walk-in vaccination centres this weekend, the HSE Chief has said.

According to Paul Reid, over 89% of adults are partially vaccinated, while 77% of adults are fully vaccinated.

Our walk in vaccination centres continue today. So far this weekend another 5,000 people have availed of them to receive their first vaccination. Now over 89% of adults are partially vaccinated and over 77% fully. We're getting there. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) August 8, 2021

Last weekend saw the opening of walk-in vaccination centres where over 30,000 people availed of a vaccine around the country, mostly those aged under 30s.

More than 3,193,500 people over 16-years-old have now received one jab, while almost 2,901,200 are now fully vaccinated.

Around 90% of people over the age of 16 have registered to receive a coronavirus vaccination.

On Thursday, children aged between 12 and 15 can register to receive their first jab.

There have been over 18,000 cases in the last two weeks, with Ireland 14-day being the highest since the start of February with the incidence rate increasing to 386 per 100,000 population.

“Unfortunately due to the high incidence, we continue to see an increasing number of people in hospital with about 190 inpatients at present, approximately 30 of whom are in critical care,” Dr Glynn said.

The health officials have both advised that everyone continue to adhere to public health guidelines and avail of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Additional reporting by PA