Dr Ronan Glynn has issued a blunt warning to the public after Covid case numbers rose by 88% in one week.
The incidence rate in all of the counties across Ireland also rocketed upwards as Ireland suffers through a fourth wave of coronavirus thanks to the deadly Delta variant.
The Deputy CMO said: “Almost 7,700 cases of COVID-19 have been notified in the last seven days, an increase of 88% on the previous week.
"Incidence rates have increased in every county over the past seven days.
"During this spell of fine weather, we know that the vast majority of people are continuing to protect themselves and others by following the public health advice. This remains really important as we seek to protect as many people as possible through vaccination over the coming weeks.
"As we have said since the vaccine programme began, COVID-19 vaccines are extraordinarily effective at reducing each person’s individual risk of hospitalisation or severe disease. Vaccines along with the core public health advice remain our pathway out of this pandemic – please avail of the opportunity to get protected through vaccination when it is offered to you."
Dr Glynn was speaking after more than 1,000 cases were confirmed for the fifth straight day.
1,110 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in Ireland in the last 24 hours.
The latest figures were released by the National Public Health Emergency Team this evening.
As of 8am on Tuesday, 89 people are in hospital with the virus.
21 of these people are in the ICU.
