A further 769 coronavirus cases have been confirmed this evening.
Meanwhile tragically a further 2 Covid-19 related deaths have been reported.
The figures were confirmed by the National Public Health Emergency Team this afternoon.
Speaking today HSE Chief Paul Reid warned that there was concern over the number of cases in the community and rising hospital admissions.
Mr Reid told Newstalk On The Record programme that hospital numbers have been "stuck" over recent weeks and the number of patients with Covid-19 is the same as the peak in the second wave.
"We're at no way normal levels in our hospitals," Mr Reid added.
"In the last week when we saw the numbers stuck for the past few weeks, they had come down for the past five or six weeks very well.
"A slight increase again this weekend would give us concern around trends, particularly in line with some of the cases we're seeing come through this weekend, a slight rise in cases would give us concern."
He said he can sense the public's "frustration and anger" in recent days.
"All we can do is tell the facts of where things are at the minute and you would be concerned with what you see happening across Europe," he added.
"From the HSE's perspective, we still see a very high positivity rate."
He said that a close contact of a positive case has a 25% likelihood of becoming infected.
"We know the transmission levels, particularly of this B117 variant, are still very strong and the positivity rate is still very high," he added.
"It is important that everyone protects themselves and hold their guard."
