The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 in Ireland has doubled in just a week.
HSE figures show that there were 581 people in hospitals across the country with Covid-19 this morning.
As of 8pm on Friday night there were 50 people in intensive care units with the coroanvirus.
HSE Chief Paul Reid said this morning: "We now have 581 Covid-19 patients in hospital. There are 50 people in ICU.
"We have likely not seen the worst impacts yet. But everything we do today to stop this virus spreading makes a huge difference. Please let's all play our part to protect our health service."
NPHET's Professor Philip Nolan has also sounded the alarm and urged people to stay at home.
Professor Nolan said: "Stay home. 581 people in hospital with COVID-19 this morning, up from 255 on 24 December.
"Positive tests, cases and hospitalisations are doubling every 7-10 days. We can stop this, but it's essential that each and every one of us plays our part to turn the tide. Stay home."
You can follow all the very latest Covid-19 updates in Ireland today right here.
