The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has increased further. As of 8am, there were 1,308 people with the virus in hospitals, an increase of 123 on yesterday's figure.
The numbers in intensive care remains stable, with 49 in ICUs as of yesterday morning. A large proportion of hospital cases are described as "incidental", meaning the patients happen to have tested positive on admission but are in hospital for something else.
The latest figures come as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said what is happening across Europe is a "second wave of Omicron". He said he did not believe it would require the reimposition of restrictions, but a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be approved for use in Ireland. "We're also giving consideration as to whether we need to start on a fourth dose programme, particularly for older people in those who are medically vulnerable," he said. Latest coronavirus stories