2,066 new cases of Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health this evening - the highest figure in over three weeks.
26 virus-related deaths have been reported over the past week, while 408 Covid patients are in hospital - the highest since March.
According to the latest weekly epidemiology report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre Waterford has the second-highest rate of the virus in the country after Carlow.
The incidence rate of the virus per 100,000 in Waterford is 404.6 while the median age of those testing positive in Waterford is 34.5.
NPHET Appeal for vaccination
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Ronan Glynn, says the incidence of Covid across the country is 'high and rising'.
“There has been fantastic uptake of COVID-19 vaccination over recent months. Unfortunately, there are still just under 300,000 adults who have not come forward for vaccination and a further 70,000 people have received just one dose of a two-dose schedule.
“The spread of disease in these 370,000 people is having a disproportionate impact on the profile of COVID-19 in our hospitals and intensive care units, with two out of every three people in intensive care not vaccinated.
“Some people will understandably have concerns about vaccination given the extent of misinformation that is circulating.
“Choosing to get vaccinated is an act of protection for yourself – it may save your life - but it is also an act of solidarity with others; the more of us that get vaccinated, the safer we all are.”
Government response
The government cannot rule out the possibility of some restrictions remaining in place past October 22nd - according to the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.
Constraints on hospitality and live events are due to end, while nightclubs are set to reopen for the first time since March 2020.
Earlier Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned the pandemic has not gone away and people need to stay vigilant.
The Taoiseach told the Dáil on Wednesday, a day after the Government delivered a €4.7 billion Budget, that people should not be complacent in the face of rising Covid-19 cases.
