Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has issued a stark warning as cases continue to surge ahead of Christmas.
The Department of Health announced this evening that 527 more people in Ireland have tested positive for coronavirus, while five further deaths have been confirmed.
Dublin was once again the hardest-hit area with 191 new cases, followed by Cork with 54.
Donegal reported 44 further infections, while there were 32 in Wexford and 27 in Kilkenny.
And the CMO has said that the new statistics are a cause for "persistent, ongoing concern".
He called on the public to do what they can do cut down their contacts and cancel plans to socialise.
Dr Holohan said: “The figures we are seeing across all key indicators of disease severity continue to give us strong reason for persistent, ongoing concern.
"As we head into a week with uniquely risky inter-household and inter-generational mixing, please remember to act responsibly. Start this weekend. It is never too late to cut down your contacts, cancel plans, or avoid a crowd.”
“Bear in mind that you may well be the link in a chain of transmission that ends with a vulnerable loved one catching this dangerous disease. Stop that chain of transmission now – limit your movements today.”
Here is a full county-by-county breakdown of today's new cases:
Donegal - 44
Louth - 12
Kilkenny - 27
Carlow - 16
Cavan - 13
Laois - 11
Wexford - 32
Longford - 0
Limerick - 17
Monaghan - 6
Dublin - 191
Mayo - Less than 5
Meath - 23
Waterford - 13
Kerry - 20
Kildare - 11
Offaly - Less than 5
Sligo - 5
Wicklow - 7
Tipperary - Less than 5
Galway - 11
Cork - 54
Roscommon - Less than 5
Westmeath - Less than 5
Clare - Less than 5
Leitrim - Less than 5
