Fears of further restrictions before Christmas have been sparked as Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the incidence rate of Covid-19 remains very high in Ireland as the future trajectory of the virus is uncertain.
The Department of Health reported a further 4,152 cases on Wednesday, with 543 people now receiving treatment in hospital, 117 of whom are in ICU.
This marked an increase of 38 admissions to hospitals and an additional one patient in ICU.
NPHET met with government officials to discuss Ireland's current Covid situation on Wednesday, but it is understood no new modelling was presented nor further restriction plans discussed.
However, a source told The Irish Times restrictions may be on the cards next week as further data on the Omicron variant emerges.
The Government will hope to avoid the situation that is unravelling in the UK as cases of the Omicron variant could hit one million by the end of the month.
It is feared to avoid a similar situation in Ireland, tighter international travel restrictions could be seen before Christmas.
However, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has maintained that he doesn't expect new rules to be introduced in the short term and said that the current plan will remain in place until January 9 - when a review of the Covid situation will be carried out.
The news comes after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the vaccines do seem to have an effect on the Omicron variant but warned a fourth dose of the vaccine could be needed and that Covid vaccines could become an annual jab.
He said: "It does seem that the existing vaccines are effective against Omicron when it comes to severe disease and death.
"That's why I would encourage people to get their third dose, and it's why I will get my third dose whenever I'm asked to come and get it.
"If and when a new vaccine or a vaccine-tweak for Omicron is ready, of course, we'll make that available.
"But we don't know when that is yet.
"In the meantime, I think it's advisable that people get the third dose and then they may well then get a fourth dose later down the line because the evidence from Israel is that unfortunately, immunity wanes from the third dose as well."
Have your say on facemasks in primary schools below, or click here.
