The Department of Health has reported 2,975 new cases of Covid-19. There are 551 patients with the virus in hospital, up 31 from yesterday, of whom 89 are in intensive care, up six.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said there has been a "significant increase" in coronavirus cases among all age groups.
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer said the incidence rate is three times higher than in October 2020. There has been an accelaration in incidence of the virus, Dr Ronan Glynn said, adding that last week was the third highest case count since the pandemic started with 25,000 cases reported in a single week.
Previous to that, weeks one and two of last January were the highest, he said. Dr Glynn said there is a deterioration in incidence