1,059 Covid cases confirmed; EMA identifies possible rare blood clot link with J&J vaccine

Members of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) speak to the media at a press briefing in Dublin. Picture Paddy Cummins /Collins Dublin

Public Health officials have confirmed 1,059 new cases of Covid-19 this evening. 

As of 8am this morning, there were 308 Covid-19 patients hospitalised, 59 of whom were receiving treatment in intensive care. 

There have been 102 Covid-related deaths reported this month - the highest since March.

In total since the coronavirus outbreak began, 5,249 Covid-related fatalities have been identified. 

389,932 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in total in Ireland. 

There were no further Covid-related deaths reported today as this is done on a weekly basis since the HSE cyberattack. 

The Department of Health said all case data is subject to future validation as further cases are identified. 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan urged the public to be mindful of public health guidance when socialising as the months progress further into Autumn. 

“As we move into the autumn/winter period and prepare for the dark evenings and cooler weather these seasons bring, many people have concerns about how we can continue to socialise safely and take part in the social and physical activities that keep us connected to our friends, families and wider communities. 

"We are all familiar with the measures that will continue to keep us safe from Covid-19," he said. 

The EMA has recommended the blood clotting in deep veins condition that may be linked to the J&J jab, be listed as a side-effect of the shot.

The CMO also urged those who have not yet availed of a Covid vaccine to do so and to take their second dose if they have not done so. 

EMA reviews links between J&J jab and another rare blood clot condition

The CMO's comments follow an announcement from the European Union's drug regulator today that identified a possible link between rare cases of blood clotting in deep veins with Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine. 

It recommended the condition be listed as a side-effect of the shot.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also recommended that immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a bleeding disorder caused by the body mistakenly attacking platelets, be added as an adverse reaction with an unknown frequency to the J&J vaccine product information and to AstraZeneca's vaccine.

J&J did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both vaccines have previously been associated with a very rare combination of blood clotting and low platelet counts known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

The two products are based on harmless vector viruses that instruct human cells to make a protein that primes the immune system against future coronavirus infections.

EMA said the new, possibly life-threatening clotting condition known as venous thromboembolism (VTE) to be included on the J&J product label was separate from TTS.

VTE typically begins by a clot forming in a vein of a leg, arm or groin, which then travels to the lungs and blocks the blood supply there.

Regardless of any vaccine use, VTE is most commonly caused by injury or lack of movement in bedridden patients. Birth control pills and a number of chronic conditions are also seen as risk factors-Reuters