Covid-19 latest: 348 new cases as ECDC says Delta variant is up to 60% more infectious

There has been a further 348 Covid-19 cases reported by the Department of Health.

41 people are being treated in hospital for the virus which up 2 in 24 hours.

13 patients are in ICU, unchanged on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 90% of new Covid infections across the European Union by the end of August will be the Delta variant, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

It’s released an assessment on the Delta variant , saying it is 40% to 60% more transmissible than the original Alpha variant.

The ECDC says full vaccination of all groups at increased risk of severe Covid should be achieved as early as possible to reduce the risk of hospitalisations and death.