There have been 1,592 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Ireland.
Latest available figures show 318 people are in hospital with the virus - 60 of whom are in Intensive Care.
The five-day moving average of coronavirus cases has dropped to 1,864.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says younger people are being admitted to ICUs.
"Over the course of the last seven days, 32 people with COVID-19 were admitted to critical care facilities and today, there are a total of 60 people with COVID-19 receiving critical care.
"The median age of those in ICU is 55 - this means that 50% of the patients currently in ICU with COVID-19 are aged less than 55 years."
But Dr Holohan says the country is still not at the peak of infection.
"Over the weekend, we reported that the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in hospital in a single day had reached a level not seen since mid-February this year.
"Unfortunately, all of this indicates that we are still not at the peak of this wave of COVID-19 and that many people continue to experience severe illness due to COVID-19.
"While our vaccination programme continues to offer great hope, at this point in time only 53% of 16 to 29 year-olds are fully vaccinated.
"This age group continues to account for the highest incidence of COVID-19 in our population.
"Anyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine, should do so as soon as possible.
He adds: "It is vital that all of us complete our vaccination schedule – you will be fully protected 7 to 14 days after your second dose.
"Consider each activity you take part in for its level of risk. Continue to regularly wash hands, wear a mask when appropriate, keep your distance and avoid crowds.
"Manage your social contacts and choose outdoors where possible for meeting others.
"If you have symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, self-isolate immediately and arrange a test through the HSE or your GP."
Restrictions 'will ease soon'
It comes as NPHET's Professor Philip Nolan says remaining restrictions will ease soon, but the need for mask-wearing and other public health measures will remain.
He says current case numbers likely won't stabilise until at least mid-September, and it will take weeks until they start to decline.
He says it is vital to give the vaccines time to take full effect.
NPHET will meet later this week to look at the current situation, with Cabinet expected to meet on Friday to sign off on a roadmap for the further easing of restrictions.
He earlier told Newstalk Breakfast the "very high" levels of vaccine uptake means Ireland's now in a position where officials do need to come up with a plan to ease restrictions.
He said: "To a certain extent, the current case numbers were expected. What they’re showing us is, quite simply, that the vaccination programme isn’t finished yet.
"The good news is over 90% of adults have their first dose at this point - but the first dose offers you very little protection, especially against the Delta variant."
