The head of the HSE has warned the country's hospitals are "battling to hold the levels of care" as they struggle to save the lives of COVID-19 patients.
HSE CEO Paul Reid revealed this morning that 650 coronavirus patients are receiving critical care in the nation's hospitals, adding that the current situation is "more critical" than an Emergency Department crisis.
Mr Reid tweeted early this morning: "Our teams are battling to hold the levels of care that we value & to save lives.
"650 COVID-19 patients are now receiving levels of critical care. 214 in ICU & 436 on Advanced Resp support.
"It's not an Emergency Dept crisis now but it's probably more critical than that."
There has been some more positive news in the battle against the deadly virus with the majority of residents of long term care homes and half of all frontline workers set to have received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of today.
A further 1,910 cases of the virus were confirmed in Ireland yesterday - the first time the daily infection numbers have fallen below 2,000 this year.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, offered words of encouragement to the country yesterday as he revealed the curve of the virus is "beginning to flatten".
He said: “Through the solidarity shown by families and communities across the country in recent weeks, we are beginning to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infection.
"Each individual effort to follow the public health advice is making an impact, but we can only continue this positive trend and drive down incidence in the community by continuing to stay at home and avoid meeting or mixing with others in our social circle, including for any close family gatherings, such as birthdays or funerals, as these can be ‘super-spreader’ events.
He added: “We know it is possible to have COVID-19 without displaying symptoms, so we all need to behave as though we are infectious and minimise our close contacts with others.
"If you suspect that you might be ill, isolate away from others in your household, let your close contacts know and come forward for testing as soon as possible.”
