A total of 4,688 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Ireland on Monday, while 518 people are currently being treated for the virus in hospital.
Of those who are hospitalised for the virus, there were 108 being treated in ICUs around the country.
An additional eight cases of the Omicron variant were also detected, bringing the total number of cases that have been identified in Ireland to 18.
The latest figures were released by the Department of Health late on Monday night.
The figures mark a slight increase in hospital admissions of 14 in the last 24 hours, but a decrease of one patient in the ICU.
Sunday’s figures saw 4,667 confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 504 patients hospitalised, of which 109 were in ICU.
In a statement on Monday, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: “Today we are reporting a further 8 cases of Omicron variant, confirmed by whole genome sequencing, bringing the total confirmed in Ireland to 18.
"Possible Omicron cases can be identified by the number of PCR results with 'S gene target failure' - just as we did when the alpha variant emerged a year ago. Using this methodology, we estimate that 11% of cases are now due to the Omicron variant, an increase from less than 1% only one week ago.
“While evidence on disease severity and immune escape is still emerging, it is clear this variant is more transmissible. We are hoping for the best while preparing for the worst.
“Over the coming days and weeks global health authorities will learn more about this variant and the risks it poses. In the meantime, we continue to have confidence in the basic measures to reduce transmission.”
Dr Holohan and other NPHET members are set to meet again on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed an accelerated Covid-19 booster jab rollout on Monday evening, with the gap between second and third doses reduced from five to three months.
He made the announcement on Twitter, saying that he had accepted the recommendation by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
Mr Donnelly wrote: “I have this evening accepted a recommendation from NIAC that the gap between completion of primary schedule of COVID-19 vaccination and a booster dose will be reduced to three months. Boosters will continue to be offered in the priority order previously recommended.”
The HSE and the Government are expected to publish a fresh Covid-19 booster programme this week in a bid to get 1.5 million people boosted with a third dose before Christmas.
The plan will outline when and how children aged between 5 and 11 years will get their jabs and the HSE will also include the timeline for when people in their 40s will get their third dose.
The booster campaign has to date been extended to all people aged over 50.
