Ireland now has more people being treated in ICU for Covid-19 than ever before, new figures show.
The country hit the grim milestone as experts continue to warn about the mounting pressure on the Irish hospital system.
Latest data shows that 158 patients are now in intensive care, higher than the previous peak of the pandemic which saw 155 in ICU.
Meanwhile there are now 1,750 people in Irish hospitals with the deadly virus.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid previously urged people to stay at home, saying the country needs to get hospitals and nursing homes back to safer levels of admissions.
Mr Reid wrote on Twitter: "Our hospitals are treating 1,750 people with Covid-19 & 158 critically ill in ICU. This is a level beyond comprehension.
"But to assure everyone, our healthcare teams are taking emergency actions to sustain this within a level of control. We appreciate your support."
Thirteen hospitals are now listed as having no intensive care beds free.
There are 30 ICU beds available in the system for adult patients, according to overnight figures from the Health Service Executive.
Cork University Hospital is caring for 140 Covid-19 patients, the highest number in the country.
