The Department of Health has today been notified of 4,799 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
As of 8am today, 467 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 104 are in ICU.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan said that the cases among young people have risen significantly.
He said: "The level of disease and positivity rate amongst young adults has increased sharply in the last week.
"One in four people in the 16 – 34-year-old age group that are going for a PCR test have received a “detected” result. This is one of the highest rates since the beginning of the pandemic.
“This high level of disease in young people represents a high risk to those they come into contact with who have yet to be vaccinated or receive their booster.
"Therefore, if you have not yet received your booster you are best to avoid unnecessary contact with people outside your household."
Dr Holohan urged people to say safe over the Christmas period.
He said: “Christmas week is an important time for many of us.
"However, it is also a time that presents unique opportunities for COVID to spread because of the possible extent of inter-household and inter-generational mixing.
"Each of us can take actions this week to protect ourselves and our loved ones, even if this means rethinking plans for the Christmas period, especially if you are not yet boosted or vaccinated.
“As difficult as it may seem, limiting as much as possible your Christmas to small numbers and very close family will protect them.
"This is an exceptional sacrifice to ask after the very difficult year all of us have had, so please remember that it may be the decision that protects yourself or a loved one from the severe impacts of COVID-19.
“It's also a concern that our latest Amarach tracking data shows that only half of people with symptoms are isolating.
"This is the single most important piece of basic public health advice - it is vital that you isolate as soon as you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 and arrange a PCR test.
"Do not meet up with others and put them at risk of COVID-19 or another respiratory infection. Do not rely on a negative antigen test as a basis for not isolating.”
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar warned earlier that the Government will "do whatever is necessary to protect human life and the healthcare system" if there was a massive change in the case numbers over the festive season.
He said: "As everyone knows this virus has surprised us on many occasions. If we have to we will have to do whatever is necessary to protect human life and the health service from being overwhelmed. But we don't anticipate that will be necessary."
However, he told RTE's Morning Ireland that no further restrictions are currently planned for the country.
He said: ""The plan is the plan that was announced. We have no plan to impose more severe restrictions before the New Year or after it."
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