Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he is concerned about the rise in Covid-19 cases and has urged people to take precautions on St Patrick’s Day.
It comes as the number of people in hospital is the highest since February last year.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror in Washington, Mr Martin said: “We are concerned with the increase in Covid cases.
“In respect of hospitals, my understanding is quite a number of those 50% are people who arrived at the hospital for other ailments but were diagnosed with Covid once inside.
“Because of isolation, it creates a real pressure on our hospitals, so that’s one aspect of that.”
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Mr Martin said the numbers in ICU “are not rising as we speak” and said the Government has been in contact with Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan.
He also reiterated it is the view of the CMO and his own personal view that people should continue to wear masks where appropriate.
He said: “We’ve been in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer, the Minister for Health on this, we’ll keep this under watch and review.
“I’ve always been of the view and the Chief Medical Officer advises that we should wear masks where appropriate particularly in retail and public transport and large indoor gatherings.”
He said the current strain of Covid-19 is “difficult to avoid” and there may be “some waning of [the] infection part of the vaccine.”
He added vaccines are “still very effective” in preventing serious illness from Covid-19.
He said there has been no discussion about the reintroduction of restrictions.
He urged people to be cautious but to enjoy St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
He added: “The message is to enjoy Patrick’s Day, be comfortable in what you’re doing, take basic precautions in terms of your own health and in terms of the Covid situation.”
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