Ireland recorded a massive spike in Covid-19 deaths on Thursday after 15 were announced.
The news comes as the number of new infections also jumped to 310.
It now brings the death toll here to 2,117, while the total number of cases in the Republic is now at 75,203.
Of those diagnosed, 162 were men and 148 were women, while 61% were under the age of 45.
The average age of people infected was 39.
Dublin had the most cases at 80, followed by Donegal with 27 and Louth with 25.
Kilkenny, Waterford, Tipperary and Meath all recorded 15 new infections.
As of 2pm, 202 people are being treated in hospital with the virus, 36 of which are in intensive care.
There were 15 more hospitalisations in the last 24 hours.
The latest figures were announced this evening during a media briefing by the National Public Health Emergency Team, chaired by Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan.
He said: "Tomorrow marks 14 days to Christmas Day. To ensure the safest possible interaction with your family over Christmas, consider restricting your movements now.
“Risk assess the environments you plan to be in over the next two weeks; are they compliant with public health measures? Can you keep a two metre distance? Are people wearing face coverings?
"Now is the time to make decisions about what interactions are necessary and pose the lowest risk to you, your family and friends over Christmas.”
The news comes after over 40 retail outlets, pubs and restaurants were caught allegedly breaching Covid rules in the last three weeks.
Since the last update on November 19, gardai have found 22 licensed premises that 'broke' Government rules under Operation Navigation.
And 21 shops were caught not adhering to strict measures imposed nationwide as part of Operation Treoraím.
While the vast majority of people across the country are still co-operating with guidelines, there were 20 alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947 under the same period.
