Covid-19 latest: 397 new cases as Tánaiste says an increase shouldn’t cause panic

397 new cases of covid-19 have been confirmed this evening.

54 Covid-patients are being treated in hospital.

The number of patients with the virus in ICU is up two to 16.

The Tánaiste has said an increase to 2,000 new cases of Covid a day, as a result of the Delta variant, would not be a reason to panic.

Cabinet Ministers were presented with updated forecasts from the Department of Health this morning.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said even a trebling of current ICU numbers, would see fewer than 50 people in intensive care with Covid.