A further 1,758 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ireland today.
Today’s number means the five-day moving average of new cases has now increased to 1,906.
As of this morning, there were 248 patients with COVID-19 in Irish hospitals - up from 229 yesterday.
48 of the patients are in intensive care - up from 43 yesterday.
Earlier, HSE CEO Paul Reid explained that the number of COVID-19 patients has a "disproportionate impact" on the hospital system due to the need for strict infection control measures.
He said the current case numbers should be a “real alert” for everybody - noting that while the vaccines are working, the rising case numbers are still significant.
Meanwhile, over 90% of the adult population has now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 81% now fully vaccinated.
Vaccination of young people aged 12-15 is now underway, with over 20,000 first doses administered so far.
