A record 2,143 positive cases of the virus have been announced by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
There have also been six more deaths related to Covid-19, according to the department.
It brings the total death toll to 1,311.
The seven-day infection rate per 100,000 people in Northern Ireland is 377.3, which is the highest since the outbreak began.
There are 492 people with Covid-9 being treated in hospitals, with 35 of these in intensive care units.
It comes ahead of the expected rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in Northern Ireland next week.
Approval of the jab was announced by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock this morning.
The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been given the green light by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann indicated that the rollout of this vaccine will start in Northern Ireland next week.
First Minister Arlene Foster tweeted her delight at the move.
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"The world class strength & brilliance of UK scientists means our wider vaccination programme should start across Northern Ireland next week," she tweeted.
Delighted with Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine progress. The world class strength & brilliance of UK scientists means our wider vaccination programme should start across Northern Ireland next week.
— Arlene Foster #We'llMeetAgain (@DUPleader) December 30, 2020
80% of care homes have already received their first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
So far some 33,683 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been administered in the region.
This includes 8,940 care home residents, 10,484 care home staff and 14,259 frontline health staff.
Mr Swann said 80% of all care homes in Northern Ireland have been reached.
"33,683 vaccinations in a short space of time is a significant achievement for Northern Ireland," he said.
"We are continuing to lead the way in delivering vaccine to our most vulnerable and our frontline workers, and I sincerely thank all those involved in making this possible, from the frontline vaccinators to the backroom pharmacy teams and those involved in storage and distribution who have worked incredibly hard to make sure the vaccine can be delivered to those who need it the most."
Last night, Mr Swann said he expected the vaccination rate to increase rapidly when the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab received approval.
He added: "The vaccine has brought a renewed hope as 2020 draws to a close and we move into a new year. I want people to be hopeful.
"But I also want people to remain cautious. It will take time before we see the true benefits of vaccination.
"So, for now, keep doing what you are doing. Keep any New Year celebrations within your existing household.
"Do the right thing and stick to the regulations to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and protect our health service."
Planned reopening of schools to be discussed
The Northern Ireland Assembly has been recalled to discuss the planned reopening of schools amid strict lockdown measures.
Pupils are due to return to school next week despite the strong restrictions in place to encourage people to stay at home in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan welcomed support for his party's Assembly recall petition, saying pupils, parents and teachers "need answers".
Meanwhile, a teachers' union has urged Education Minister Peter Weir to introduce online learning.
MLAs will return to Stormont on Thursday, in the second recall of the week, to discuss the situation around schools.
Mr McCrossan said: "With a huge rise in Covid-19 levels across our community, the fact that schools across the North are due to return in just days is deeply concerning."
