Coronavirus Northern Ireland: cases continue to rise so who is getting Covid, and how worried should we be? 

Of these, 923 were in children up to 19 and 1,139 cases were in those aged between 20 and 39 years old.

The seven-day case rate in people aged between 40 and 59 years old was 583, with 116 cases in the 60 to 79-year-old cohort and 27 cases in those aged 80 and over.

Q: How do they compare to a few weeks ago?

A: Cases in Northern Ireland are increasing, which was an entirely expected development as lockdown restrictions were lifted before the vaccination programme was completed.

However, the rise in cases has been propelled even further by the arrival of the Delta variant - now dominant in Northern Ireland and believed to be up to 50% more contagious than the Alpha variant.

Comparing the case statistics to last Monday, they have more than doubled, while the seven-day case rate has increased by 75%.

Looking back to a fortnight ago, there were 133 positive cases and the seven-day case rate was 1,064.

Q: How is the health service coping at the moment?

A: According to the statistics released by the Department of Health on Monday afternoon, there were 28 Covid-19 inpatients, of which four were in intensive care.

So, it is clear the rise in cases has not translated into serious illness and hospitalisations – yet.

But they are beginning to creep up again – just two weeks ago, there were no Covid-19 patients in ICU and 12 Covid-19 inpatients.

At the same time, family doctors have reported an increase in the number of consultations with patients with Covid-19 symptoms, albeit in younger people, who are less likely to become seriously ill as a result of the virus.

The fact is, however, that the health service is straining as a result of the ravages of the pandemic and years of chronic underfunding and an absence of workforce planning.

Even with so few Covid-19 inpatients, six hospitals were operating over capacity on Monday afternoon – largely down to health trusts battling to address shocking elective care waiting times.

The statistics highlight the lack of flex in the system in the event of another deadly surge.

 Q: How worried should we b e?

A: Case numbers are growing exponentially – that much is obvious.

In previous waves, a similar rise in cases, as is currently being experienced, has led to the almost total collapse of the health service and hundreds of preventable deaths.

This time around, 80.76% of the adult population has had one dose of vaccine, while 60.5% has had two doses.

The experts are clear – the vaccines are working, but the problem is, they are not 100% effective so there will be those, even people who are fully vaccinated, who will become seriously unwell.

It is also important to remember those who can’t be vaccinated, in particular young children with complex medical conditions who continue to be extremely vulnerable to Covid-19.

The only way to reduce their risk is by cutting the overall community transmission rates, particularly among children in general where case numbers are soaring.

At the same time, the number of care home outbreaks is on the rise – up to five on Monday afternoon.

Again, it isn’t a huge rise, but it is nonetheless an increase in a group of people who can least afford to fall victim to the virus.

To date, doctors and scientists are “cautiously optimistic” that Northern Ireland is heading in the right direction, but they are also united on the position that the final destination has not yet been reached and more needs to be done to ensure we are not plunged back into another lockdown.

They have said more people – young people in particular – need to come forward for vaccination and there are also growing calls amongst the scientific community for the vaccination programme to be extended to everyone aged 12 and over.

At the same time, medics and scientists have also said face coverings, social distancing and hand hygiene measures should remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Northern Ireland is entering the fourth wave as schools finish for summer, vaccinations are easier than ever to access and the better weather means people can meet up outdoors.

It is hoped this will be enough to shore up the health service and ensure that, as winter hits, health trusts aren’t forced once again to prioritise Covid-19 patients over everyone else.