The Department of Health reported 589 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday. The number of patients being treated in hospital is 62, with 17 in ICU.
The number of people being treated in hospital for coronavirus is up, from 58 the day before, but the number of ICU cases remains unchanged at 16 for the third consecutive day.
Concerns about the overall numbers, however, and the growing prevalence of the Delta variant clearly persist.
“Scientific evidence shows that Delta is a much more transmissible variant of Covid-19, now accounting for 80 per cent of the cases reported in Ireland, said Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.
“This is a challenge that is facing all of Europe, but we know that the basic public health measures still work against this variant. Please continue to avoid crowds, wear a mask, manage your contacts, keep your distance, meet outdoors where possible and if indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated.
“With incidence of the disease continuing to increase, the rapid identification of cases and outbreaks of Covid-19 is essential.
We are asking anyone diagnosed with Covid-19 to work with our contact tracers to identify all of your close contacts so that they, their families and colleagues can be protected. If you know you are a close contact of someone with Covid-19, or if you have any symptoms, stay at home and organise a free test as soon as possible.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the North’s health department reported a further 511 positive cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland. There were no further Covid-19 related deaths reported in the past 24 hours.
So far 2,130,073 Covid vaccines have been administered in Northern Ireland.