A total of 686 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Ireland, while one more death has been confirmed.
The latest figures were announced by the Department of Health this evening.
Dublin was once again the hardest-hit area in the country wiht 278 new cases, followed by Limerick with 49.
While there was 37 in Kildare, 32 in Louth, 31 in Donegal and the remaining 259 cases are spread across all remaining counties.
Up to February 19, a total of 214,384 people have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 126,320 people have received their second dose
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said: “We continue to see really high levels of compliance amongst the population and this is having a positive impact on the levels of disease in our communities.
"It is also having a positive impact on our hospitals – while last week there were 269 cases in healthcare workers and 4 outbreaks in our hospitals these represent a very significant reduction compared with the 839 cases and 15 outbreaks in the week to the 7th of February.
"In time, vaccination will be our most powerful tool against COVID-19 and over the coming weeks those who are highest risk in our families and communities will get vaccinated.
"For now, each of us has a range of tried and trusted tools at our disposal - by keeping our distance, washing our hands, wearing face masks and staying at home we will continue to drive down transmission of this disease. Our collective efforts move us closer to the continued re-opening of our schools and the resumption of non-COVID healthcare services.”
It comes as Taoiseach Micheal Martin is set to address the nation on Tuesday afternoon where he will reveal Ireland's new Living with Covid plan.
This will give clarity to the nation after weeks of leaks and the explosive interview with the Irish Mirror last week where the Fianna Fail leader confirmed nine more weeks of "severe restrictions".
A Cabinet sub-committee meeting is taking place on Monday evening, followed by a full Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning and finally a public address later that day.
And after the Taoiseach's various comments in recent days, we already know a lot of what is set to be announced tomorrow.
It also comes a day after Boris Johnson revealed the UK's plan to exit lockdown which could be an indication of the kind of strategy Ireland will take.
Here's everything we are expecting from the Taoiseach on Tuesday;
No big changes on March 5
It is a matter of fact that there will be little to no changes on March 5.
Case numbers remain stubbornly high and it is expected that it will be some time yet before we see any meaningful changes.
That means the 5km rule, limits on household visits and so on will be extended, along with the original lockdown end date.
'Severe restrictions' until the end of April
Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Irish Mirror's Ciara Phelan earlier last week: "What’ll happen next will be modest, I wouldn’t overstate it in the sense of announcements and so on.
“We are looking at a continuation of severe restrictions certainly right into April.
“We’ll have some look at construction but then again it won’t be a full return to construction, we’ll assess what the public health advice is.
“We’ve already certainly indicated that beyond Easter we’ll look at it again but until the end of April you can look at significant restrictions and we’ll review it after that then because we’ll have to see where we are.”
Sport and outdoor activities first to return
The Irish Mirror's Ferghal Blaney revealed on Sunday night that the Government is set to “signal” a return to outdoor sports and other outside activities in the new Living with Covid plan.
Golf, tennis and other non-contact outdoor sports and training are all going to be considered as part of the next step in reopening the country.
A source told the Mirror: “Schools are the first priority, we have to get that right first and then we will see how we go.
“But then, based on reviews, the intention is for outdoor activities to be prioritised.
“We know that outdoor activities and sport outdoors are safer than indoor, and we are keen to start reopening society, so sport and safe outdoor activities will be signalled by the Government this week.”
