Ireland must move on from daily cases totals and learn to live with the virus, according to infectious disease expert Jack Lambert.

He was speaking 500 days after the first case was detected here.

Around 278,000 cases have been reported in the months since, with just over 5,000 virus-related deaths reported.

Meanwhile, the vaccine rollout is now approaching its five millionth dose, with registration set to open for 25 to 29-year-olds later this week.

Nearly 70% of the adult population has received one dose, while 56% of people are fully vaccinated.

Some 600 new cases were reported yesterday – but UCD Professor of Infectious Diseases Jack Lambert said there is no reason to slow down reopening.

“We have been the slowest to reopen in almost the world in terms of what we have been doing,” he said.

“It is not just about the numbers. If you look at what is happening in the UK now, you are seeing increases in the numbers but 90% less serious cases ending up in hospital.

“So, we are in a different situation now than before and we have to learn from our mistakes. I really believe we need to come up with a living with COVID strategy that allows us to reopen safely.”

He said the rising case totals are inevitable as we reopen with the Delta variant circulating.

“There are lots of ways to live safely with COVID rather than just saying, ‘slow down, slow down, the numbers are increasing,’” said Prof Lambert.

“You can’t plan for the future. You can’t plan a reopening of our hospitality industry or our travel industry having this with yes but no but yes but … changing every day based on numbers.

“The numbers are not translating to impact in the hospital.”

Indoor dining is due to reopen to fully vaccinated people and those who have recovered from COVID no later than July 26th.

Legislation was last night agreed by Cabinet and will now go before the Oireachtas before becoming law.