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Ireland is expected to reach the milestone of half a million Covid-19 jabs administered this weekend.<\/p>\nIreland is expected to reach the milestone of half a million Covid-19 jabs administered this weekend.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin hailed the progress made in the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a video posted on Twitter, Mr Martin said he was inspired by recent visits to vaccination centers where thousands of frontline healthcare workers are receiving the inoculation.<\/p>\n
The Government and the HSE were doing everything they could to secure supplies and to give those vaccines to people as quickly as possible, Mr Martin added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the coming days we will have administered half a million doses since the first vaccination was given to Dubliner Annie Lynch 63 days ago,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNext week we will begin to vaccinate those with underlying health conditions as well as continuing to vaccinate the over-70s and healthcare workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said that the vaccines administered are reducing the impact of the virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis can be seen in the reduced levels of infection in our nursing homes and amongst our frontline healthcare workers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis brings hope, along with the continued fall in Covid numbers thanks to the sacrifices you have been making.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 14-day incidence level fell below 200 this week for the first time since Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile our health services are still under pressure, the number of patients in our hospitals and ICUs is reducing significantly.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Mr Martin added a note of caution, warning that variants of the virus mean people should not relax around restrictions.<\/p>\n
On Saturday the number of patients with Covid-19 in intensive care dropped to 99, with the total number of cases in hospital at 401.<\/p>\n
Paul Reid, chief executive of the HSE, described it as a \u201cgreat sign\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Friday, one further death with the virus and 522 new cases were notified in the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, protesters calling for an end of lockdown restrictions are set to gather in Cork city centre later.<\/p>\n
It follows a demonstration in Dublin last weekend which saw chaotic scenes in the capital, 23 arrests and three Garda officers left injured.<\/p>\n