1,414 new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Ireland in the last 24 hours.
353 people are in hospital with the virus, 55 of them in the ICU.
As of Wednesday, 5,112 people have died from the virus in Ireland.
The numbers were confirmed in a press statement this evening.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said he “hoped” there would be no return to lockdowns but has said the next stages of the pandemic were unpredictable.
Minister Donnelly was speaking after Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that all Covid-19 restrictions will be lifted by October 22 - except the wearing of face masks.
Minister Donnelly said there is no specific measure or statistic that would cause the Government to pause or reverse the easing of restrictions.
He said he hoped there would be no return to lockdowns - but acknowledged that the next stages of the pandemic were unpredictable.
On Wednesday, Minister Donnelly announced a number of updates to Ireland’s vaccination programme on Wednesday which will see the beginning of the booster rollout.
Those in Ireland who are considered immunocompromised will now be offered the third dose of the Covid jab, with officials hoping it will bring "comfort and reassurance" to our most vulnerable citizens.
Speaking about the announcement on Wednesday, the Health Minister said: "Since the very beginning of this pandemic, we have worked to protect those most at high risk from severe illness and death from Covid-19.
"I hope that the opportunity to receive a third or booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine brings comfort and reassurance to people that these vaccines are very safe and effective and offer protection from Covid-19.
"As we move into this new stage of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that all of those eligible for vaccination but who remain unvaccinated or partially vaccinated should initiate/complete their vaccination course."
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