There has been a significant rise in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past week, up 60% on the previous week, according to latest figures.
There were 1,049 confirmed cases in the week to last Saturday, compared with 650 cases reported the previous week, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said.
The centre described the level of Covid-19 circulating in Ireland as "moderate to high".
There were also 486 hospitalisations in the last week, up 56% on the previous week.
Three deaths were reported in the past week, linked to the disease.
No intensive care admissions have been reported in the last week. Overall, ICU admissions have remained stable during the current wave.
The national confirmed Covid-19 figures are regarded as an estimate, as they only reflect cases where doctors recommended patients to be tested, as the HSE service to allow people to book PCR screening or antigen kits ended in spring last year.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
The JN.1 Covid variant is currently the predominant variant in Ireland and globally, but it is not designated a variant of concern.
Doctors also say there is no evidence that this variant is linked to more severe disease.
Another variant, KP.3, a sublineage of JN.1, is increasing but similarly there is no evidence it is linked to more severe disease either.
Increased circulation of Covid-19 in the community has also resulted in more outbreaks in nursing homes, hospitals and healthcare settings.
The number of outbreaks in the last week was 62, up on the 48 reported the previous week.
The HSE spring booster vaccination programme for certain at risk groups was paused for the summer, earlier this month.
It was aimed at those aged 80 years or older, people aged five or older with a weak immune system, and people living in a long term facility for older adults.
Doctors advise that if anyone has symptoms of Covid-19, even mild ones, they stay at home until 48 hours after they have mostly, or fully gone.
They should also avoid contact with other people, especially those in high-risk categories.
Paid leave for health staff extended
The Government has extended the special scheme of paid leave for certain health staff suffering from Long Covid, for the next twelve months.
A temporary 12-month scheme was introduced in July 2022 and was extended several times, most recently in October 2023.
The Government indicated that a final extension would end on 31 March 2024.
Today, the Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation welcomed the new extension.
Albert Murphy, Director of Industrial Relations, said the majority of these health staff are nurses and midwives who contracted Covid-19 at work.
