513 people with Covid-19 are being treated in Irish hospitals today, which is the first time the total has risen above 500 since March 1st.
There was a dip in the figures during last week when it fell to a low of 406 patients with the virus receiving treatment.
🦠 513 Covid-positive patients in Irish hospitals - first time it's gone over 500 since March 1st.
📈 8% increase since last Tuesday.
🏥 99 patients with the virus in ICU.
— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) October 26, 2021
However, over the weekend the figure rose again.
The total is 8% higher than it was last Tuesday.
The latest number of patients with the virus who are being treated in ICU now stands at 97.
The vital figures in Ireland - which are case numbers, the numbers of people in hospitals, and the numbers who require admission to intensive care - have been rising steadily over the past couple of months.
“There’s some uncertainty in terms of how bad and how high the numbers will go," says Paul Moynagh who is a Professor of Immunology at Maynooth University.
“We haven’t experienced the Delta variant in the autumn before. We’re also experiencing these breakthrough infections as we move longer beyond our second vaccinations - some of us become more susceptible to infections.
"Then there’s the increased socialisation and the time of the year.
“The numbers are probably likely to increase, but it’s very difficult to be precise about how high the numbers will go.”
