Health officials have announced a further 4,570 COVID cases this evening.
This morning, there were 622 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals – a 25% increase on this day last week.
There were 117 in intensive care – a 50% increase on last week.
The five-day moving average has increased to 4,436.
Taoiseach Michael Martin talks to the media at the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast in October 2021. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo / Mark MarlowSenior ministers are meeting this evening to discuss the advice NPHET put forward last week – which included a return to working from home where possible and the potential extension in the use of COVID certs.
The Cabinet sub-committee is discussing the recommendations this evening ahead of a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
This morning, HSE Chief Paul Reid said the situation in Irish hospitals is now “quite stark” – with around 71 of the patients in intensive care receiving ventilation.
Meanwhile, many of the patients being treated outside of ICU are receiving "enhanced supports" in high-dependency units or on wards.
“Those supports include non-invasive ventilation. That might sound not too bad… but it’s a highly uncomfortable mask strapped quite tightly to a face.
“We are at a really critical level, with well over a third of our ICU beds utilised for COVID positive patients.
"It’s quite a high level of sickness, and quite a high level of stress and duress on our hospital system."
He said around 57% of the patients in ICU are not fully vaccinated – with the vast majority having had no vaccine at all.
Earlier, Professor Sam McConkey said the vaccine booster programme won't be enough to address the current surge in cases on its own.
