Covid-19 More than 1500 new cases reported

The Department of Health has reported 1,522 new cases of Covid-19. The number of patients being treated in hospital is 217, with 34 in ICU.

“Over the past fortnight we have reported almost 20,000 cases,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan in statement issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

“While 17 per cent of these cases were in people who are doubly vaccinated, this is entirely in keeping with what we expect as an increasing proportion of our population get vaccinated.

“It’s important to remember that this does not mean vaccines are not effective. While they will not prevent every case, they provide excellent protection against severe disease and significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation.

“If you are awaiting or have recently received your second vaccine dose, please be aware you are not yet fully vaccinated. You will be fully vaccinated one week after your second dose of Pfizer and two weeks after your second dose of Moderna and AstraZeneca.

If you have received Janssen, you should not regard yourself as fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after,” he said.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health said again urged people to self-isolate in the event that they believed they had symptoms.

“It is important to continue to follow the public health advice,” he said.

“Please remember that you should stay at home if you have any cold or flu symptoms even if you are fully vaccinated, because you could still transmit Covid-19.

“If you wait to isolate until you get the results of your test, you will be much more likely to pass it on to others in your family and community. We must work together to continue to limit the spread of the disease in our communities and key to this is not attending the workplace or socialising if you have any symptoms.”

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has reported a further eight deaths of people with Covid-19 and another 1,031 cases of the disease.

The total number of fatalities recorded by the department since the pandemic began now stands at 2,228.

A total of 245 people with Covid-19 were receiving treatment in the North’s hospitals on Monday, with 41 in intensive care.

More than 2.3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Northern Ireland, which includes some 1.23 million first doses. Almost 85 per cent of people aged over 18 have received a first dose.

However, the uptake remains lower among younger age groups. Around 65 per cent of those aged between 18 and 29 have had their first dose, rising to 72 per cent of 30- to 39-year-olds and almost 85 per cent of those aged between 40 and 49. Virtually 100 per cent of people aged 70 and over have been vaccinated.

The North’s chief scientific Advisor on Monday emphasised the benefits of the vaccination programme and said it had led to a dramatic drop in the number of people hospitalised because of the virus.

Dramatic reduction

“Back in December last year, for every 1,000 cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, around 80 were admitted to hospital here,” said Professor Ian Young.

“Now it’s in the region of 22 hospitalisations per 1,000 cases. That’s a dramatic reduction. Clearly, the vaccination programme has made a significant difference. Its benefits are indisputable.”

Prof Young said anyone who has not yet been vaccinated should get a jab, which would “will help us get through the current surge in cases and any further surges in the autumn and winter”.

“The more we increase our take-up rate, the more we will be able to move forward,” he said.

The Department on Monday published a Covid-19 factfile, aimed at “debunking” anti-vaccination myths, which is to be circulated online and will run alongside a UK-wide social media campaign encouraging younger people to get vaccinated.

“I have seen some people questioning the effectiveness of vaccines because the virus is still circulating and some vaccinated people are still getting it. This argument is entirely misplaced,” Prof Young said.

He said that while vaccination did not entirely eradicate the risk from Covid-19, it reduces it “substantially”.

“Getting jabbed makes it less likely you will get infected. And if you still do, it will be less likely that you get seriously ill with the virus, or will pass it on to others,” he said.

Walk-in mobile vaccination clinics are offering first dose vaccinations in a number of locations across Northern Ireland. Vaccines are also available at participating community pharmacies. Full details are available at https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/

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