The Department of Health has confirmed that 315 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ireland today.
The figures show that as of midnight on Saturday, there were 62 people being treated in hospital for the virus, an increase of four compared to Saturday.
Of these patients, 22 are in ICU, the same as yesterday.
The Department warned that daily case numbers may change due to future data validation.
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population now stands at 110.
The five-day moving average is now 344, while the seven-day average is 339.
It comes as the Government is said to be considering tighter travel restrictions for people arriving in Ireland from Britain.
Longer quarantine periods for unvaccinated passengers are being looked at due to the spread of the Delta variant in the UK.
There have been 126 cases of the variant recorded in Ireland so far, but there are no plans to delay the start of indoor dining from July 5th or international travel on July 19th.
Dr Ilona Duffy, a GP in Co Monaghan, says the cases associated with the Delta variant are likely higher and that there is a need for caution.
However, she told On The Record with Gavan Reilly that the country's continued reopening does not need to be slowed down as long as the vaccination rollout continues at pace.
Test tubes in a lab where COVID-19 tests are being assessed. Photo: Samantha Zucchi /Insidefoto/Sipa USA)Meanwhile, hundreds of community pharmacists are set to begin administering COVID-19 vaccines from tomorrow.
They will start by giving the one-shot Johnson and Johnson inoculation to people over 50 to complete the vaccination of that age cohort.
The Pfizer jab will be used later in the programme
The vaccine portal is expected to open for those aged 30 to 39 in the coming days, with more than 3.1 million doses administered in Ireland so far.
Speaking to Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh on Newstalk Breakfast Weekends, Darragh O'Loughlin from the Irish Pharmacy Union said pharmacists "have been ready and waiting for months" to begin administering the vaccine.
"The HSE had consistently delayed getting pharmacies involved and at this stage, there are hundreds of pharmacies around the country ready to start vaccinating in the coming week as soon as vaccines start arriving into their pharmacy," he said.
