Dr Tony Holohan has issued a "grave" warning after an "extraordinary" growth in coronavirus cases in Ireland.
The Chief Medical Officer was speaking after a further 970 new infections were announced across the country on Tuesday.
While sadly 13 more people have died from Covid-19.
Dublin was once again the hardest-hit area in the country with 348 new cases.
Meanwhile there was 60 in Limerick, 59 in Cork, 59 in Wexford, 55 in Louth and the remaining 389 cases are spread across 20 other counties.
And the CMO has issued an urgent warning to protect our families and loved ones over the festive season.
Dr Holohan said: “The current trajectory of the disease in the community is of grave concern. In the last seven days to midnight Monday, we have reported 4,478 cases, an increase of more than 110% over the preceding week.
"In the last 5 days, we have seen extraordinary growth in the incidence of the virus across the country, significantly increasing the level of risk associated with the kind of inter-generational mixing that is normally experienced over the Christmas holidays.
"To protect ourselves, our families and our vulnerable loved ones in particular, further economic and social restrictions will begin to be introduced from Christmas Eve. It is up to each one of us to rethink our plans for this Christmas period, especially when it comes to visiting older or more medically vulnerable family members and friends.
“With the authorisation of the first COVID-19 vaccine by the European Commission yesterday, our national vaccine programme can begin in the very near future and this gives us cause for hope.
"However, widespread vaccination of the population will take time, so we need to continue to adhere to the public health advice on hand washing, keeping 2m distance, wearing face coverings where appropriate, covering our coughs and reducing our social contacts for the duration of the Level 5 restrictions. By working together we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard our schools and our hospitals.”
Of the cases notified today:
- 470 are men /494 are women
- 64% are under 45 years of age
- The median age is 37 years old
