Three Covid-19 cases in hospital in Navan

There were three cases of Covid-19 being treated in Our Lady's Hospital Navan today and a further three in hospital in Drogheda.

HSE figures show that there was one patient with the virus in intensive care beds in both hospitals.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 1,189 confirmed cases of Covid-19 nationally.

As of 8am today, 95 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 23 are in ICU.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said: "The Delta variant is now dominant across the EU and, in recent weeks, we have noticed a sharp increase in the level of travel-related cases of COVID-19.

"As disease incidence increases both here in Ireland, and across Europe, it is important that, if you intend on travelling, you are aware of the disease profile in the area you are visiting, as well as the public health measures in place locally."

Meanwhile, the Ratoath municipal area - which includes Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan and surrounds - had the highest rate of Covid-19 infection in the county this week with a rate twice the national average There were 100 new cases confirmed in the area and an infection rate of 300.1 per 100,000 - the national average is 150.8. Navan was the only other electoral area in the county to exceed the national rate. There had been 75 new cases up to Monday 12th July and an incidence rate of 214.7.

Laytown/Bettystown area had 49 new cases and a rate of 143.6, Ashbourne had 38 cases and a rate of 130.7, Trim had 40 cases and a rate of 128.2. Kells had the lowest with just 13 cases and a rate of 40.1.