Ireland will record 'approximately' 1,000 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

That is according to the HSE CEO Paul Reid, which would be the highest daily count since early February.

It comes as latest available figures show there are 80 people in hospital with the virus - 22 of these are in ICUs.

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Mr Reid says cases will continue to rise every day.

"Yesterday we saw one of the highest number of cases in one day since February, at almost 800 cases.

"And we know and expect that today's cases will be approximately 1,000.

"So any kind of look forward ahead will clearly demonstrate this is on a very significant raise of case numbers.

"Data from the WHO demonstrate COVID incidence rates within Europe shows that the 14-day incidence rate in Ireland has increased by 50% compared to where it was two weeks ago.

"And we're now the eighth highest out of 31 countries".

Meanwhile vaccine registration is opening for 25 to 20-year-olds from Friday.

It means everyone in that age group will be able to register to receive a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in the coming weeks.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced the move, just a week after registration opened to 30 to 34-year-olds.

Anyone aged 18-30 can currently book an appointment with a pharmacy for a one-shot Janssen vaccine - although supplies remain limited.

Health officials continue to recommend that everyone under 50 get one of the two mRNA vaccines - Pfizer or Moderna.

However those aged under 34 are also able to 'opt in' for an AstraZeneca vaccine - meaning they may be vaccinated sooner.

Additional reporting: Paul O'Donoghue and Stephen McNeice