CMO's fresh warning to nation over rise in Delta variant of Covid

The chief medical officer has issued a fresh warning tonight on the rise of the Delta variant of Covid.

In a statement, Dr. Tony Holohan outlined: "Though we have growing levels of vaccination across the population, there is now a very high level of disease circulating in the community.

"The Delta variant has enabled Covid-19 to regain a foothold in Ireland, which puts us all at risk as social contacts and mobility increase. We are closely monitoring the spread of the virus with some concern.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,558 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of 8am today, 262 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 51 are in ICU.