Health authorities have been notified of 1071 newly confirmed cases of Covid-19.
As of 8am today, 101 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 20 are in ICU.
Dr. Tony Holohan has said: “While we continue to enjoy the good weather, we are unfortunately also continuing to see a rise in the incidence of disease across all key indicators. Our 14-day incidence is now the highest it’s been since 24 February at 231/100,000. Our five-day average is 1,159 cases per day, the highest it’s been since 2 February.
"If you are fully vaccinated, you can have confidence in your vaccine and enjoy socialising and meeting with other vaccinated people indoors, so long as you continue to follow the basic public health precautions.
"If you are waiting to be fully vaccinated, then it is best to continue to socialise outdoors. Events like barbecues, meeting in a park or going to the beach can be enjoyed safely once we do our best to minimise the risks of transmission – only meet in small groups, wash or sanitise your hands regularly, don’t share utensils and wear a face mask where appropriate. If you are meeting indoors, ensure that the room is well ventilated.
"If you have planned to attend a social event, and you experience symptoms of COVID-19, including symptoms of seasonal cold and flu such as headache, sore throat, runny nose; please stay at home, do not attend that event. This applies regardless of your vaccination status. Let your close contacts know how you feel, self-isolate and get tested. It can be tempting to defer getting a test but as soon as you experience symptoms, the best way to protect yourself and others is to arrange one straight away.
Elsewhere, Irish pubs look set to reopen their doors for indoor dining as planned despite the rise in new Covid-19 cases.
The government is expected to push ahead with the reopening of indoor dining for pubs, bars and restaurants, as it is not believed the new cases will put excessive pressure on the hospital system, the Irish Times reports.
Government leaders are expected to make a decision on the reopening of indoor dining for unvaccinated people on Wednesday.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed that Ministers will meet on Wednesday after he has a meeting with Dr Tony Holohan and NPHET.
Next Monday, July 26, was confirmed as the date for reopening by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar but a number of issues are yet to be ironed out.
Speaking to reporters in Cork on Saturday, Mr Martin said: "We’re going to give this very serious consideration. We'll be considering these issues again on Wednesday, in the sense of formally deciding on issues.
“But as things stand, travel will commence on Monday in terms of our joining the European Union framework and indoor dining for the vaccinated.
"But I do think we're in a different stage of the pandemic compared to six months ago, compared to this time last year.
“And that will then have to inform how we approach it.”
In terms of the vaccine programme, people aged 18 to 24 who want to be jabbed can now register after the portal opened for them this morning.
Those who want to opt in to get the AstraZeneca vaccine if a Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is not available can do so from Monday 19 July.
Meanwhile, thousands of Irish holidaymakers left Dublin Airport on Monday morning as international travel finally returned.
The EU Digital Covid certificate came into effect at midnight, allowing the free movement of people around the continent for the first time in over a year.
