There have been 6,888 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Republic, according to the Department of Health.
Eight further deaths associated with the virus have also been reported in the past 24 hours.
The latest figures bring the total amount of cases here to 147,613, while the number of coronavirus-related deaths stands at 2,344.
Of the latest cases, 60% are under 45 years of age, while the median age is 38 years old.
Regarding the nationwide distribution of cases, 2,088 are in Dublin, 862 in Cork, 469 in Limerick, 405 in Wexford, 320 in Waterford and the remaining 2,744 cases are spread across all other counties.
As of 2pm today, 1,452 people are now receiving treatment in hospital for the virus after 100 new admissions in the past 24 hours.
Of those patients, 125 are in ICU, up from 119 yesterday.
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population now stands at 1291.2.
The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population and new cases in the last 14 daysEarlier, Professor Sam McConkey said the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Ireland cannot be predominantly attributed to new variants of the virus.
The infectious disease specialist added that while the mutant strains are "certainly a factor" in the high numbers, data shows it is the original virus contributing to the majority of cases.
It comes as a doctor at the WHO said that Ireland and other countries around the world are paying a "high" price for gatherings at Christmas.
Dr Margaret Harris said the recent surge in cases can be attributed to "winter gatherings", with many people not heeding public health advice.
She added that there is "no conclusive evidence" as yet that the new strains of COVID-19 present in Ireland will have any significant effect with the vaccines.
Meanwhile, 1,112 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.
There have also been 17 additional deaths reported by the Department of Health there, two of which were outside the 24 hour period.
