The incidence rate of Covid-19 has decreased over the last fortnight, and the numbers of people in hospital and ICU have stabilised, the Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group has said.
Professor Philip Nolan made the comments after there were 1,620 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health.
328 patients in hospital had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 8am this morning, down three from yesterday.
59 of these patients are being treated in intensive care units nationwide, an increase of five.
Professor Nolan said the seven-day average case count has fallen from 1,784 to 1,421, but added that "this is still very high."
Incidence has decreased over the last 14 days, and numbers in hospital and ICU have stabilised. The 7-day average case count has fallen from 1784 to 1421. But this is still very high. Vaccination is giving us great protection, and making it difficult for the virus to spread …. pic.twitter.com/ww2yL5iRxp
— Professor Philip Nolan (@President_MU) September 10, 2021
He also said that vaccination is providing great protection, and making it difficult for the virus to spread, but added that high incidence rates mean each of us has a significant risk of becoming infected and further spreading the disease, even if we are vaccinated.
It comes as nine in ten adults in Ireland have now been fully vaccinated, with over seven million Covid-19 vaccines set to have been administered by the end of today.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described reaching the 90% threshold for those aged over 18 and the seven millionth vaccine mark as "two major milestones" in the country's rollout.
The vaccine rollout is continuing in areas around the country, with children aged 12 and over eligible to avail of a vaccine. A full list of walk-in vaccine centres operating this weekend can be found here.
Earlier, HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said that progress was being made in a number of areas.
"Overall testing positivity [is] reducing but high volumes in schools still," Mr Reid said.
The Government last week set out its plan to continue lifting restrictions over the coming weeks, with 22 October set as the date when most of the Covid-19 restrictions across the country will be lifted.
The Taoiseach said that measures easing on that date is contingent on Covid-19 cases remaining manageable and 90% of adults being fully vaccinated.
The vaccine roll-out is also set to continue, after NIAC this week recommended booster shots for residents aged 65 years and older living in long term residential care facilities and people aged 80 years and older living in the community.
It is expected the booster campaign will be undertaken in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile six further deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Health said there had also been 1,687 new confirmed cases in the last 24-hour reporting period.
There were 461 Covid-19 inpatients in hospital this morning, 43 of whom were in intensive care.
A total of 2,484,598 vaccines have been administered.
