Health Minister Simon Harris has pleaded with the public to wear face coverings while on public transport and while shopping.
Taking to his Instagram account on Sunday night he confirmed there are now 74 confirmed Covid-19 cases in hospitals across the country, there were over 800 cases in April.
Mr Harris also confirmed 27 people are currently fighting for their lives in ICU.
The Minister said face masks aren't "magic shields" but will help stop droplets, making it harder to contract Covid-19.
He said: "We now need you to wear a face covering if you're getting on public transport or if you're in a supermarket or a shop.
"We've gotten a lot of this right, we've adapted a lot of our behaviours but we haven't got to the place we need to here.
"Face coverings are not magic shields but they can help you stop spreading your droplets to someone else.
"The face masks makes that much harder to do.
"We need you to wear these and we're going to start a public awareness campaign in relation to that.
"I understand some people think the messaging has been kind of confusing during this and that is a fair point because there has been lots of different medical views right around the world.
"But our advice here is very, very clear. Please, please wear face coverings in those settings."
Minister Harris said he understands some people with medical conditions can't wear them however he said everyone else should.
He said he is determined to do everything possible to protect people in nursing homes and has set up an expert review panel to examine the government's continued response to Covid-19.
NPHET will meet on Thursday which will look at the behaviour of the virus and will advise the government on what can happen in the final two stages of exiting lockdown.
This will include consultation regarding the reopening of hairdressers, Minister Harris told his Instagram followers.
