A further 1,903 COVID cases have been announced this evening, the highest figure since January 23rd.

This morning, there were 219 coronavirus patients in hospital – up 15 on yesterday.

Meanwhile, there were 37 in intensive care, one more than yesterday.

The five-day moving average has increased to 1718.

The five-day moving average in Ireland. Image: Newstalk

In a series of tweets, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan encouraged anyone who has yet to be vaccinated to take up the opportunity.

“We know that vaccines work,” he said. “They are about 80% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 disease and they provide approximately 95% protection against hospitalisation.

“This protection against severe disease holds up even in the context of the Delta variant.

"The COVID-19 vaccination programme has shown not only the best of scientific and medical endeavour, but also commendable solidarity by those who have come forward to receive a vaccine for the good of themselves and their wider community.

“While uptake has been fantastic, there are some who have not yet taken the opportunity to get protected through vaccination.

“For those who remain unsure, have questions or concerns, please access trusted sources of information like your GP, pharmacist and hse.ie."

Children

Meanwhile, the HSE has said vaccines for children aged 12 to 15 should be finished by early October.

Thousands of children have been registered on the portal since it opened to the age cohort this morning.

Parents can register their children by phone or online and Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of Public Health at the HSE's National Immunisation Office, told Newstalk Breakfast she hopes most second doses will be administered by early October.