A further 4,650 COVID cases have been announced this evening.

This morning, there were 643 COVID-19 patients in hospital – up 18% on this time last week and 40% in the past fortnight.

There were 118 in intensive care, which is 21.5% more than last week.

The five-day moving average is now 4,213.

The five-day moving average. Image: Newstalk

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the “single most important” thing is for people to stay at home when they feel unwell.

“Approximately one in six people in Ireland experienced COVID-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, high temperature or other flu-like symptoms in the past week,” he said.

“The single most important action you can take if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 is to self-isolate and arrange a PCR test – not an antigen test.

“If you want to avoid passing COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses on to your friends, family or work colleagues, rapidly self-isolating as soon as your symptoms begin is the most important thing you can do.”

Earlier, HSE chief Paul Reid warned that the health service is now facing the “highest level of impact and risk” it has faced since the pandemic began.

He said health officials are warning that non-elective healthcare will now likely be cancelled as many hospitals move to surge capacity.