More than 300 Covid patients in hospital as HSE confirms 85% of adults now fully vaccinated

314 patients are in hospital receiving treatment for the coronavirus. Picture: PA

Department of Health officials have confirmed 1,688 cases of Covid-19 this evening. 

As of this morning, 314 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised - 59 of whom were being treated in intensive care.

Health officials have said case data is subject to retrospective change as the result of future validation.

Adults and children queue in rain outside the Citywest vaccination centre in Dublin. File Picture: Damien Storan/PA Wire

The latest Covid-19 data comes as around 85% of the adult population is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the head of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

In a tweet this morning, HSE CEO Paul Reid said that, in total, over 6.6m vaccine doses had now been administered in Ireland, and that 91% of adults were now partially vaccinated.

As walk-in vaccination centres reopened around the country this weekend, Mr Reid said some 135,000 12-15-year-olds had now been registered for a Covid jab, and that 77,000 doses had now been administered to this cohort.

Despite progress made during the vaccine rollout, Mr Reid said Covid-19 remained "a very real threat."

Vaccinations continue this weekend. Almost 6.6M now administered. 91% of adults partially vaccinated & 85% fully. 135,000 12-15s registered & 77,000 now administered. But the threat is still very real as 314 #covid19 patients now hospitalised & 54 in ICU. Take good care @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) August 22, 2021

Highest daily case total since mid-February

Last night an additional 2,125 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland - the highest one-day total since February.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said the case rise was of “significant concern."

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

“The number of newly confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospital in the last 24 hours has reached a level not seen since mid-February," the CMO said.

“This upward trend in serious infection is of significant concern, increasing the pressure on frontline healthcare services and non-Covid care.

“The Covid-19 vaccination programme is vital to our collective effort to minimise the transmission of this virus in families, in workplaces and communities."

Dr Holohan once again urged those who are still unvaccinated to come forward for a Covid-19 vaccination as soon as possible and to take all recommended doses to limit risk of severe infection.

To protect yourself, consider each activity for its level of risk to your health, regularly wash hands, wear a mask when appropriate & look out for each other by keeping a 2m distance, avoid crowds, manage your social contacts & choose outdoors where possible for meeting others.

— Dr Tony Holohan (@DrTonyHolohan) August 21, 2021

“It is critical for everyone to stay safe by following the public health advice as part of their daily routine," he said. 

“To protect yourself, consider each activity for its level of risk to your health, regularly wash hands, wear a mask when appropriate and look out for each other by keeping a 2m distance, avoid crowds, manage your social contacts & choose outdoors where possible for meeting others.”