The Chief Medical Officer has issued an advisory to the public as the number of daily coronavirus cases in Ireland continues to remain high.
Dr Tony Holohan urged people to do one key thing after a further 2,975 cases were reported here on Wednesday.
The top public health official is asking the public to reduce our social contacts by half this week in order to suppress transmission of the disease.
He acknowledged that a pandemic can be "a long and exhausting experience" and he is aware "that we are all tired of this virus".
However, "the reality is that the virus is here and is circulating at too high a level", he said.
Dr Holohan said: "The virus moves when we are in close contact with a Covid positive person.
"This person could be a family member, a friend, a colleague or a stranger. It could be someone with no symptoms who is fully vaccinated.
"The action needed now is for all of us to reduce our social contacts and give the virus less opportunity to spread. Reduce the people you intend to meet this week by half. If we all do this collectively, we can suppress current levels of infection.”
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, said the "high incidence of Covid-19 in the community is concerning".
He outlined that there are "simple steps" we can take to protect ourselves from the virus.
“Firstly, Covid-19 vaccines are providing excellent protection against the serious effects of Covid-19 and if you are yet to come forward for vaccination, you can still do so in your local pharmacy, GP or by booking online," Dr Glynn said.
“When around other people from outside your household, whether you know them or not, be sure to layer up on your protection by wearing a face covering, washing/sanitizing your hands frequently, keeping your distance, meet up outdoors where possible, and ensure indoor spaces are well ventilated. You have the power to protect yourself and stop the onward spread.”
Professor Karina Butler, Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, added in a statement: “Each week, we are continuing to see people who have not received any dose of Covid-19 vaccine come forward for their vaccine.
"We are delighted to see this and I would encourage anyone who is yet to receive a Covid-19 vaccine to do so as soon as possible. Our vaccination clinics across the county are open and ready to welcome you.
“If you are pregnant, please be assured that the benefits to you and to your baby of receiving a Covid-19 far outweigh the risks. If you have concerns, then speak to your trusted clinician - be that your GP, obstetric team or midwife. They are the people most familiar with your medical background and are in the best position to offer advice particular to your own situation.”
Dr Cillian De Gascun, Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory and Medical Virologist also said: “As we socialise indoors more often over the winter months it is important to be aware of how Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses spread and how you can limit the risk of transmission.
"Ventilation is very important if socialising indoors – ensure windows are open and air is circulating. Keep social distance of 2m where possible and use face coverings. All of this combined with vaccination, hand hygiene and the suite of public health behaviours will protect you and limit the spread of infection.”
The comments came as a health briefing on Wednesday heard that 74 additional deaths relayed to Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland in the past week, bringing the total to date to 5,566.
At the briefing, Dr Holohan suggested that vaccine passes could be required to access hairdressers, gyms and other services as NPHET are in favour of expanding their use.
NPHET are meeting on Thursday and are expected to discuss working from home and extending the use of vaccine passes in other sectors as the public health doctors have said there is now an upward trend in the number of people ending up in hospital.
