A total of 7,836 more people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Ireland, while 17 further deaths have been confirmed.
It brings the number of infections here to 121,154 since the pandemic began.
The latest figures were announced by the Department of Health this evening.
Earlier today, Paul Reid, the HSE's Chief Executive, said Ireland has exceeded the peak level of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with 921 people now in hospital.
"Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all do what's needed, turn this around, save lives, whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to," said Mr Reid on Twitter.
The latest information from the HSE follows the Government's decision to extend Level 5 restrictions after the Cabinet agreed to close schools from next Monday.
However, Leaving Cert students will be allowed to attend school for three days a week.
Essentially, Ireland is returning to the type of severe restrictions that were seen during the first wave of the virus in 2020.
The restrictions are due to stay in place until the end of January and Ministers have agreed to tighter public health measures including stricter rules for travellers going into Ireland and the closure of non-essential construction.
Non-essential construction projects will finish at 6pm on Friday evening.
Essential constructions projects - such as health projects specific to Covid-19, housing adaption grants, and critical maintenance for rail, roads and utility projects - will be an exemption to the rule and can continue.
Education and social housing construction, as well as major foreign direct investment, will also be an exception.
Sole traders, such as plumbers, glazers, roofers and electricians, can work on an emergency call-out basis.
The cabinet has also signed off on an agreement that all passenger from Britain and South Africa must have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours.
However, more work will be necessary before other countries can be added to this measure.
A travel ban on passengers from Britain and South Africa has also been extended until Saturday.
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will remain in place until 31 March.
The resumption of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme has been delayed until 1 February. Childcare services, including regulated childminders, will remain closed except for vulnerable children and children of essential workers.
Other existing childcare arrangements can continue to operate for vulnerable children and children of essential workers only.
In addition, a household of an essential worker without an existing childcare arrangement can form a bubble with another household for the purpose of providing childcare.
Click-and-collect services for non-essential retail will no longer be allowed after existing orders are fulfilled. Delivery services can continue.
During today's press conference, the Tanaiste said: "If I was running a business right now I'd be considering the possibility that I'd be closed until the end of March."
Pubs will no longer be allowed to sell takeaway alcoholic beverages.
