LAST UPDATE | 19 Apr 2021

MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Ireland, according to latest figures from the HSE.

Data published this morning shows that 1,203,630 vaccine doses were administered in Ireland up to Saturday, with 21.8% of the population over the age of 16 having received their first dose.

The figures come as the Covid-19 vaccine portal opens for people aged 65 this morning.

More than 100,000 people have registered for vaccines on the portal since it opened for people aged 69 last Thursday. Vaccinations for people in the 65-69 year-old age group are expected to begin this week.

Meanwhile, the number of patients being treated for Covid-19 in Irish hospitals has fallen to levels that have not been reached in more than six months.

Figures shared by HSE CEO Paul Reid this morning show there were 179 coronavirus patients in hospital this morning, after reaching 176 on Saturday night – a figure not reached since 8 October.

The number reached 176 patients on Sunday but rose slightly last night, when 186 patients with Covid-19 were being treated in the country’s hospitals.

Previous HSE data shows that hospital figures regularly increase at weekends, when patients are less likely to be discharged.

There were 46 people with Covid-19 in intensive care units last night, of whom 28 were receiving ventilation care.

Speaking yesterday, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the situation in Ireland is much better now compared to four weeks ago.

“The plan is working. If it continues to work and if we continue to bend down the curve and get these vaccines out, we can be having a very, very positive, encouraging conversation about the summer,” he said.