The Chief Medical Officer has sounded the alarm after a worrying rise in the rate of Covid-19 among young people.
A five-month high was reached in terms of the number of new cases today as 1,173 infections were confirmed by the HSE on Friday evening.
79 people are in hospital with the virus, 23 of them requiring help in the intensive care unit.
The dangerous Delta variant is the root of the rise, with about 70% of new cases being linked to it.
And speaking after the spike increased further, Dr Tony Holohan noted his concern at the situation.
He said: “We continue to experience rapid increases in the incidence of the disease in the community, with cases increasing in 22 out of 26 counties and with the greatest majority of cases occurring in people who have not yet been fully vaccinated.
“The current trajectory of the highly transmissible Delta variant across the country means that unvaccinated people are at high risk of contracting COVID-19, with just over 50% of today’s cases aged between 19-34 years old.
“We need those who are waiting for full vaccination to take every precaution this weekend and to adhere strongly to the public health advice as they await their vaccines – this includes limiting your social contacts, meeting outdoors, staying 2m apart, wearing masks and avoiding international travel.
"If you are experiencing symptoms of cold and flu: headache, sore throat, runny nose, please let your close contacts know, stay at home and get tested as soon as possible for COVID-19.
"From today, 25-29 year olds can register for their vaccine on the HSE website and I would strongly encourage this age group to do so by visiting: www.hse.ie/vaccine"
