5,471 new cases reported as EMA says Ireland's low Covid death rate is indicator of vaccine efficacy

The EMA is looking at "mix and match" booster strategies where the booster dose is different from the initial vaccination. Picture: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

A further 5,471 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed as the head of the EU's drugs regulator says vaccines remain a "key tool" and will continue to give protection against new Covid-19 variants.

Currently, there are 579 patients hospitalised with the virus, of whom 122 are in ICU.