A further 397 confirmed COVID cases have been announced this evening.
Last night, there were 54 coronavirus patients in Irish hospitals – up eight on the same day last week.
There were 16 patients in intensive care – up two on yesterday but the same as last week.
The Chief Medical Officer DR Tony Holohan said the increase in hospitalisations is a cause for concern.
“We are seeing a small but concerning increase in hospitalisations in recent days, coming 10-14 days after the five-day moving average of daily case numbers began to increase,” he said.
“This is a cause for concern and we will be monitoring it closely in the days and weeks ahead.
“Full vaccination is needed to protect against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. To protect yourselves and your loved ones, it is extremely important to take up the opportunity of being vaccinated and come forward for your second dose as soon as it is offered to you.
“The second vaccination is very effective at preventing both disease and hospitalisation.”
The five-day moving average has fallen slightly to 457.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar at Dublin Zoo, 13-06-2021. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA ImagesIt comes as the Tánaiste said Ireland should not get into a 'spiral of fear' over the Delta variant.
Leo Varadkar said an increase to 1,000 to 2,000 new cases of coronavirus a day would not be a reason to panic - noting that even a trebling of current ICU numbers would see less than 50 people in intensive care with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said health officials will be closely watching the effect of the Delta variant on UK hospitalisation rates before making further decisions on reopening.
The HSE continues to be impacted by the recent cyberattack and daily case numbers “may change due to future data review, validation and update.”
