The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital has risen to 1,042, up from 957 yesterday.
It is the highest number since 12 January, when there were 1,055 patients with the disease in hospital.
However, around half of the hospital cases are described as "incidental", which means patients happen to have tested positive on admission but are in hospital for something else.
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The number of patients with Covid-19 in ICU is 42 today, an increase of one on yesterday's figure.
Covid-19 cases are no longer updated at the weekend.
Today, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of 2,100 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19. In addition, yesterday, 7,271 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.
Yesterday, the HPSC was notified of 5,475 PCR-confirmed cases. 5,791 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal the previous day.
On Saturday, the HPSC was notified of 4,400 PCR-confirmed cases. 6,853 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal the previous day.
PCR tests are not being done for people aged under 55 with symptoms, except for those who are immuno-compromised and people with high-risk medical conditions.
Meanwhile, the head of the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Limerick has said increased social activity around St Patrick's Day festivities will lead to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
Dr Catherine Motherway said she was a "a little concerned" about the slowly rising cases, but said there was no doubt that with the high level of vaccination and immunity among people, the effect on people's health "isn't as dramatic as it was at the very beginning".
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Motherway also said she does not believe mask wearing should be made mandatory again.
She said people who are at increased risk, such as those who are immuno-compromised or those in older age groups, should "absolutely wear masks".
"If you feel that you are risk, and are worried, continue to wear a mask," she added.
Dr Motherway said Covid "like flu, which remains a problem for all populations, we do expect this is never going to go away … as we get more used to it as a population, you have less severe public health impacts, but it can still be quite serious for individuals".
In Northern Ireland, one further person who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 has died, the Department of Health said.
Another 1,822 confirmed cases of the virus have also been notified in the last 24-hour reporting period.
As of this morning there were 463 patients with Covid-19 in hospital, with four in intensive care.
Dept of Health employees to work two days per week on-site
The Department of Health has said that in line with the phased return to the office, all its employees are currently required to work a minimum of one day per week on-site at the department, while continuing to work remotely for the rest of their working week.
This will increase to a minimum of two days per week on-site from Monday 21 March.
The department said that a number of employees have continued to work on-site throughout the last two years for essential reasons, due to the central role the department has played in the response to the pandemic.
Employees can attend more frequently on-site where required due to business needs or if they choose to do so.
The department said it will review its minimum on-site attendance requirements in due course and will implement a more permanent blended working policy taking account of the blended work policy framework which is due to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.
