The CEO of the Health Service Executive has said trends in the spread of Covid-19 "continue to be a strong concern" for the HSE.
Paul Reid was speaking at a HSE briefing, which heard that as of yesterday evening there were 157 people being treated for Covid-19 in hospital, and 27 people in ICU.
He said that the hospital system is "challenged, but not overwhelmed". He said that some hospitals may have to start deferring or canceling procedures, and may have to use some of their surge capacity beds.
Yesterday, the Department of Health was notified of five further coronavirus-related deaths, and 611 new cases. Mr Reid told today's briefing that the number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions of cases of Covid-19 cannot be compared to those