Covid-19: Ireland's 14-day incidence rate now the highest in the European Union
A person getting ready to take a Covid-19 test from a passenger at the testing booth at Cork Airport. Picture: Dan Linehan
Ireland now has the highest 14-day incidence rate of Covid-19 in Europe, according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).
In its latest weekly surveillance summary the ECDC lists Ireland's incidence rate as being 504 per 100,000 population.
The next highest rates are found in Cyprus (496.1), Greece at (412.3), and France (403.2).
At present, the ECDC lists the European Union average as being just below 200 per 100,000 population.
Despite this, the latest report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) shows that while Ireland's rate is high, it has been decreasing in recent weeks.
The latest interim report from the HPSC estimates that, as of September 1, the country's 14-day incidence rate was 493 per 100,000 population - down from around 530 week previously.
These latest statistics come as a further 1,414 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed by officials this evening.
As of this morning, 353 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised - an increase of 10 on Thursday morning’s total.
Also this morning, there were 55 patients with Covid-19 receiving treatment in intensive care - a decrease of 4 on yesterday’s figure.
As of midnight, Thursday 2nd September, we are reporting 1,414* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) September 3, 2021
As of 8am today, 353 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 55 are in ICU.
The latest figures come as the seven millionth dose of a Covid-19 vaccine is set to be administered in Ireland within the coming days.
In a Twitter update this afternoon, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed nearly 6.9m doses have been given out so far and he thanked the "amazing" vaccination teams for their role in the programme.
Some 3.4m people are now fully vaccinated against the virus with 87.8% of those over the age 16 fully protected.
This figure rises to 89% of adults over the age of 18.
Overall, 92.1% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose.
In the update, Minister Donnelly also noted some recent changes to the vaccination programme which include plans to offer a third dose to those who are immunocompromised while pregnant women can now be given the Covid-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
Earlier this year, Niac recommended that pregnant women be offered an mRNA vaccine (such as Pfizer or Moderna) between 14 and 36 weeks’ gestation only.
"Our vaccination programme has been our way out of this pandemic, and it allows us to remove restrictions in the coming weeks," the Minister said.
"As we continue the work to get as many people fully vaccinated as possible I would just ask you all to please stay safe, keep minding each other, keep looking out for each other."
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