Covid vaccine supply 'will improve' despite AstraZeneca disruption

Of the deaths notified this evening, three of these occurred in March, 12 in February, and one in January.

The median age of those who died was 88 years and the age range was 59-96 years.

This afternoon, 340 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised, of whom 85 were in ICU. An additional 15 hospitalisations occurred in the previous 24 hours.

By March 10, 570,391 doses of coronavirus vaccines had been administered, comprising 409,662 first doses and 160,729 second doses.

Earlier, the chief executive of the HSE said that the supply of vaccines "will improve".

Paul Reid tweeted that 600,000 of the most vulnerable people "have been protected and prioritised."

Mr Reid added: “The oldest, in nursing homes and community, now at less risk. Our healthcare workers can look after our sickest, feeling safer. The right approach for now.”

Of course, I do correct. Should be clearer. 600,000 vaccinations completed in total.

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) March 13, 2021

The 14-day incidence of the disease now stands at 155.3 cases per 100,000 people nationally. Longford has the highest county incidence, followed by Offaly.

Of the new cases, 235 are in Dublin, 50 in Kildare, 39 in Donegal, 31 in Meath and 28 in Galway with the remaining 160 cases spread across 20 other counties.

Of the cases notified today, 269 are male and 271 are female. 73% are under 45 years of age, and the median age is 29 years old.

Dr Gabriel Scally said earlier today that there is still "plenty of the virus circulating" in the country, and that Irish people "can't take for granted that it's going to be a smooth downward path".

The public health expert said Ireland "can't afford not to take precautions and get it under control."

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday with Katie Hannon, Dr Scally said: “I think the other thing to remember is, it was a heck of a peak that was reached in January and February.

“It was avoidable but decisions were made and we had the huge spike of cases and we’ve to get down from a very high peak and that is difficult because it takes time and commitment and observance of difficult rules.

"I can understand a lot of the frustration about that but it’s got to be got down.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older people has said Ireland “is still on track” to have all over 70s vaccinated by mid-May with the supplies they have received to date, despite disruption from AstraZeneca.

Mary Butler told RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon programme the vaccine rollout programme has to adapt as quickly as possible, “almost daily”, to the various challenges to supply.

Ms Butler said even though the over-80s are the priority again this week, it was “still in line” with the Government’s prioritisation schedule, adding that 99% of those over 85 have been vaccinated, except for some who are housebound.

A leading immunologist has urged people not to let their guard down, as Ireland is “still in the thick” of its fight against Covid-19.

Professor Luke O’Neill told RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor programme he had concern over the slight upward trend in daily figures, at a time when not as many vaccine doses have been administered as the country would like.

Ireland has been in lockdown for weeks.

NPHET has warned about the increase in people moving around compared to the first lockdown last April.