There have been 23,909 new cases of Covid-19 reported by the Department of Health.
It brings the total number of cases reported by the department since the pandemic began past 1 million.
There are 1,063 people in hospital with Covid-19, an increase of 79 from yesterday.
89 of these patients are being cared for in intensive care units, up six.
The number of patients being treated in hospital is the highest since 9 February 2021 when 1,104 people with Covid-19 were receiving hospital treatment.
RTÉ News has asked the HSE if it can provide current data regarding the number of cases in hospital being treated for Covid-19 and also data on those patients in hospital for other reasons but who happen to have tested positive for Covid-19.
Meanwhile the Chief Executive of the HSE has said it does not feel as though the peak of this wave of Covid-19 has been reached in terms of staff impact or hospitalisation.
However, Paul Reid said the percentage of hospitalised cases coming through from the total number of positive cases on a daily basis is significantly down on previous waves, while ICU numbers are holding stable for now.
"We all want to avoid hospitalisation and the best way to avoid hospitalisation is to avoid getting Covid," he said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Reid said the average stay for Covid patients is around six to seven days.
He said that while patients still require the same amount of care as previously, the number of people who need advanced respiratory support has dropped in proportion to previous cases.
He said that although the severity of the Omicron variant may not be as strong as other variants, those people who are in hospital are not there for minor illness.
Ask if there is any sign that we have reached the peak of #Covid19 infections or the number of healthcare staff out of work, HSE chief @paulreiddublin tells @MorningIreland 'It certainly doesn't feel like it right now' | https://t.co/hn4ASo3sxn pic.twitter.com/FFBM2T9hB5
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 10, 2022
Currently between 14,000 and 15,000 staff members are absent due to Covid related issues, he said, and while it is impacting care, the HSE is taking action to minimise this.
He also said that 83,000 children aged between 5 and 11 have been registered for the vaccine and 27,000 of this age group have received their first shot.
He said the take-up is in line with that of 12 to 15 year olds where there was a continuous, steady increase in take-up of the vaccine and he encouraged parents to take their time and read the information.
Asked about a report in the Irish Times which states that the National Public Health Emergency Team is set to consider mandatory vaccination, Mr Reid said he would not favour such a move, but said that is a decision that the Government would make.
Mr Reid also said that the portal to register positive antigen tests should be up and running this week, which will also have the functionality to allow people input their close contacts.
The chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee said the vaccination programme for children is off to a good start and is hopeful the numbers of children coming forward will continue to rise.
Professor Karina Butler said it is not the case that every child will have a mild dose of Covid-19 and a number of children are significantly ill in hospital with the virus.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Prof Butler said that by "vaccination we can help move things towards a more normal childhood for children."
Prof Butler also said that although the Omicron variant appears to cause a milder illness, they need to see the impact that vaccines have had.
"A lot of people, particularly in Ireland, who are getting Omicron have actually been vaccinated, at least 50% of them if not more" she said.
"And in those it tends to be a very mild illness, they're not actually ending up in hospital for the most part."
On the idea of mandatory vaccinations, Prof Karina Butler tells @TodaywithClaire 'it's always preferable' if people can be given the information and make informed decisions, but 'there can be situations where making a vaccine a requirement is necessary for the overall good' pic.twitter.com/4ucUE1yHLD
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) January 10, 2022
On the issue of mandatory vaccination, Prof Butler said there are pros and cons and she understands it is being looked at and careful consideration will be given.
She said it is always preferable if people can make an informed decision for themselves, but there can be situations where making a vaccine a requirement "is necessary for the overall good".
When asked about a possible fourth vaccine dose, Prof Butler said they have to wait and see what the science and evidence tells them, and they "really don't have a wealth of that" at the moment.
Prof Butler also expressed concerns over a slowdown in the uptake of Covid-19 booster vaccines.
She described it as "a little bit disappointing to see, particularly in those younger age groups, where the rates of infection are very high."
She said: "We have to acknowledge that some of that drop-off maybe because of those infections but not all."
Prof Butler said there was "an impetuous before Christmas and now people have heard that Omicron maybe milder, which it is maybe."
She added: "But you have to remember, vaccination isn't just about Omicron. Vaccination is about coronavirus and the variants.
"We know that in those age groups that immunity wanes and by getting that booster shot, you increase your protection, not just against Omicron, but against Delta and Alpha and whatever might come next."
She has urged anyone who is eligible to receive a booster jab, to come forward and avail of the additional dose.
Meanwhile, the President of the Teachers' Union of Ireland has called for the provision of medical grade masks ahead of the return of third level students this week.
Martin Marjoram added that antigen tests and better quality masks should be centrally procured so that there are no unnecessary delays in providing them on campuses.
He said early indications are that up to a third of staff involved in apprenticeship education could be out this week due to Covid-19 and there are no proper substitutions in place.
He said that there had been some "slippage" among some students who were resistant to wearing masks before Christmas and this cannot be allowed to continue with the transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
