Dr Tony Holohan has asked anyone who has plans to socialise in the next four weeks to do five specific things to help "drive down" Covid.
Thursday's case number saw a sharp rise, with 4,674 new infections announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team.
While the number of patients in hospital fell overnight, the situation of the virus in Ireland is still seen as perilous.
To this extent, the Chief Medical Officer has said he is still "concerned" over the case numbers.
Speaking on Thursday evening, he said: "Incidence of COVID-19 remains concerningly high, with 62,401 cases reported in the last 14 days. We need to continue to make every effort we can to drive down incidence of disease and break the chains of transmission.
"COVID-19 spreads when an infected person is in close proximity to other people. The best way we can stop COVID spreading to the people we meet is by meeting fewer people and avoiding crowds.
"If you are socialising, think about the risk associated with the activities you have planned. Remember the simple steps you can take to keep both you and the people you meet with safe:
- Wear a mask correctly
- Meet outside if possible
- Avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces
- Practice good hand and respiratory hygiene
- Be mindful of your contacts in the days after socialising, and especially consider anyone you meet who may be immunocompromised or vulnerable to COVID-19.
"If you experience symptoms isolate immediately and arrange a PCR test – not an antigen test.”
It comes as Leo Varadkar warned Ireland could need the imposition of further restrictions before Christmas.
The Tanaiste said that even though additional measures might be needed to curb the spread of Covid-19, the government is hoping to avoid a lockdown scenario.
