1,703 new Covid-19 cases reported in Ireland as virus hospitalisations stand at 363

52 patients are in intensive care with the virus.

There have been 1,703 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Ireland on Saturday (4 September). The figures released from the Department of Health on Saturday did not contain information regarding deaths related to Covid-19. As of 8am on Saturday, 363 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 52 are in ICU. At the same time on Friday, 353 Covid-19 patients were hospitalised. https://twitter.com/roinnslainte/status/1434170215223410688 Earlier on Saturday, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said Ireland is "all ok" for the next stage of reopening on Monday, 6 September. In a Tweet, Varadkar stated that the Covid-19 vaccination of members of the public under the age of 35 is "really working now" and that Covid-19 cases have "plateaued" or are "falling". He added that the rise in patients in hospital and intensive care with the virus is "slowing", writing: "All ok for next stage of re-opening on Monday." You can see his statement in full below. https://twitter.com/LeoVaradkar/status/1433913848923410432 Main image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie