The Tánaiste has said he expects the latest wave of COVID cases to peak in the next week or so.
Leo Varadkar said that, while January will be a difficult month, Ireland was likely to overcome the Omicron wave quicker than previous surges.
Speaking to The Irish Times, he said cases were likely to remain high for the next few days before peaking, “in the next week or so”.
Yesterday, a further 9,006 new cases were announced, with the number of patients in hospital up 60 to 521.
Meanwhile, the number of patients in ICU had fallen by ten in the week to 92 yesterday.
The five-day moving average was 10,158.
Minister Varadkar said the impact on hospitals will not be as severe as last year due to the “immunity that has built up due to the vaccine programme and prior infection”.
Meanwhile the HSE booster portal opens to people in their 30s from today.
The jabs will be available to people over the age of 30 at HSE vaccination centres and pharmacies.
People aged 16 to 29 who received Janssen in their original vaccine programme are also now eligible at vaccine centres, with ‘bespoke clinics’ due to be held for the cohort from next week.
Everyone over the age of 16 can attend vaccine clinics from January 10th.
GPs have been offering boosters to everyone over the age of 16 since December 16th.
Appointments for children can be made through the HSE portal or by calling 1800 700 700.
