Dublin, July 30 (TIWN) The number of overall confirmed coronavirus cases in Ireland has increased to 295,386 after it reported the highest single-day infections since February, according to the latest data from the country's Department of Health.

On Wednesday, another 1,408 people tested positive for the virus, while a total of 152 Covid-19 patients were being treated in hospitals across Ireland, of which 26 remained in intensive care units, Xinhua news agency quoted the Department as saying in a statement.

"Currently, 2 per cent of cases are being hospitalized," said Tony Holohan, chief medical officer of the Department of Health.

There would have been more cases and hospitalisations were it not for the great progress being made in taking up vaccination, said Holohan in the statement.