A record 1,022 Covid-19 patients are now in hospital.

Sharing the shocking figure on Twitter this morning, Health Service Executive chief Paul Reid said we’ve reached “a sad milestone that nobody wanted to happen.”

“We’ve now 1,022 patients very sick in hospital with #COVID19 and 88 in ICU. It concerns me relaying this. But I do know we will get through a tough time ahead, with your help. At the other side, it will be better.” said Mr Reid.

A further 7,836 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the past 24 hours, with 17 additional deaths from the disease.

We’ve reached a sad milestone that nobody wanted to happen.We’ve now 1,022 patients very sick in hospital with #COVID19 & 88 in ICU. It concerns me relaying this. But I do know we will get through a tough time ahead, with your help. At the other side, it will be better. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 7, 2021

Of the new cases, 1,373 are in Cork, 2,263 are in Dublin, 496 are in Louth, 345 are in Limerick, 340 are in Meath and the remaining 3,019 cases are spread across all other counties.

Experts: Escalating mortality and ICU admissions likely

“The country is in a serious phase of this surge of COVID-19. There is evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant in Ireland,” warned Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health.

“All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospital and ICU. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks.

“It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes, always adhering to public health advice; physical distance, hand hygiene, cough/sneeze etiquette, wearing a face covering.”