The re-introduction of a full work-from-home policy is being considered as NPHET looks at ways to address high COVID case numbers.

Around 25,000 new cases have been reported in the last week – the third highest since the pandemic began.

A further 74 deaths were reported in the same period, which is the highest figure since NPHET started reporting it on weekly basis five months ago.

The 513 patients in hospital last night was up 14% on the same night last week and there were also two more patients in intensive care.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is meeting today to discuss whether further measures are needed to tackle the rising cae figures.

Officials are considering the reintroduction of a full work from home policy – but are not considering the return of any other restrictions.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said another lockdown is not being considered

“Restrictions, if we think they're needed, will always be something that we'll give contemplation to if we think they have a role to play in whatever form,” he said.

"The word restrictions is a broad word – if by that you mean the closure of economic and social activities, the closure of certain sectors or segments of society.

"Nobody is ruling out things like that anywhere but at the same time, no one has an expectation that we're going to go back into that kind of environment.

"We're not planning and contemplating on that basis at this point in time."

Infections have increased three-fold among 19 to 24-year-olds in the past two weeks - with the situation worsening in all counties.

Dr Holohan said the public is not responding to NPHET’s call for people to reduce their social contacts – and urged people to cut their plans in half.

“If you're planning to go out two nights of the week, maybe just go out once,” he said.

"If you're planning to have 10 people over to the house for a particular event, maybe just have five during this period of very, very high transmission.

"The reality is the opportunity that's being given to the virus by the levels of socialisation to transmit from person-to-person are simply too many."

He said he is in favour of COVID certs being used in hairdressers and gyms.

“We would have no reason to have any concern about that and there is nothing to stop people in those sectors saying that is an additional security and safety measure I can put in place to protect my staff and protect my customers,” he said. “That would be a good thing.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the booster programme is having a 'concrete effect' on older age groups.

He said the pattern of cases in people aged 80 and older is now different to other age groups and what it was before the booster was rolled out.