Another 305 Covid-19 cases confirmed

An additional 305 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the State, the Department of Health said on Monday.

There are 16 people are in ICU - an increase of one on the previous day, according to the figures, which are as of midnight on Sunday. There are 49 people are in hospital with the coronavirus.

A further 221 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, according to the latest infection figures released by the North's Department of Health there. No further deaths from the disease were reported.

Sixteen people with Covid-19 are currently receiving hospital treatment in Northern Ireland, with two in intensive care.

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The number of new Covid-19 cases has been rising in the North in recent weeks, amid concerns over the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, with health authorities last week saying that that variant now accounted for approximately 50 per cent of new cases there.

In the last week 1,600 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the North, compared with 1,052 in the previous seven days.

Derry and Strabane is the worst affected district, with the case rate per 100,000 people over the last seven days at 235 there as of Monday, significantly greater than the overall Northern Ireland average of 84.5.

Additional, targeted testing of asymptomatic people aged between 18 and 40 has been taking place in parts of Derry and in Castlewellan, Co Down, since Friday after a number of probable cases of the Delta variant were identified in both areas.

The SSE Arena in Belfast opened a "walk-in" vaccination service at the weekend, with further such clinics planned in other locations.

The Belfast Trust will run a walk-in vaccination clinic in the grounds of Belfast City Hall from 3-8pm on Saturday, July 3rd.

Open letter

On Monday the North's Minister for Health, Robin Swann, published an open letter to any adult who has not yet come forward for vaccination against Covid-19 to do so, appealing to them to "please don't put off your turn. The right time is now."

Vaccination centres in the North are now offering first-dose Pfizer jabs to everyone aged 18 and over.

At the weekend Northern Ireland reached the milestone of 2 million Covid-19 vaccines administered, which includes more than 1 million first doses.

Virtually everyone aged over 60 in the North has received a first dose of the vaccine, but the percentage uptake falls among younger age groups.

Among the 30-39-year-olds, 65 per cent have had a first dose of the vaccine, as have 50 per cent of those aged 18-29.

New move on restrictions

Meanwhile the North’s deputy first minister, Michelle O’Neill, told the Assembly on Monday that she hopes ministers will be able to approve further easing of the Covid-19 restrictions when they meet on Thursday.

This could include the resumption of live music performances without restriction and the reopening of youth services, theatres and other indoor seated venues.

These easements had been due to take place this month but were delayed by the North’s Executive and given a new indicative date of July 5th.

Ms O’Neill said the situation was being kept under review but “all things being equal we would hope to be able to progress these things on Thursday, provided that it is supported by health and science.”