1179 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed as Paul Reid says young people are “new vulnerable group”

91 people are in hospital and 22 are in ICU.

As of midnight on Saturday 17 July, the Department of Health has been notified of 1179 new cases of Covid-19. Of the 1179 cases, 91 are in hospital and 22 are in intensive care units. According to the Department, daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update. It comes as HSE CEO Paul Reid said on Sunday that younger age groups are the "new vulnerable groups" as they have yet to be vaccinated. Speaking to Newstalk on Sunday, the HSE Chief asked younger cohorts to “mind themselves and protect themselves in the coming days and weeks" as Ireland's vaccine rollout continues to progress. “They are the new vulnerable groups because they aren’t vaccinated,” he said. Reid added that the portal should open for the 18 to 24 age group to register for AstraZeneca in a vaccine centre by Monday and for an mRNA vaccine by "the end of this month".