There's has been a concerning increase in the transmission of the Delta variant in Ireland, according to the Chief Medical Officer.
Dr Tony Holohan says it's estimated the Delta strain of Covid-19 accounts for up to 20% of cases reported in the last week.
It comes as 284 further cases of Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health this evening.
53 Covid-19 patients are currently in hospital, with 13 of those patients in intensive care.
The ICU figures stand at their lowest level since mid-September.
