The Minister for Health has said that the number of Covid-19 cases has risen "quite considerably" in recent days, including the number of patients in hospital with the virus.
Stephen Donnelly added that this winter will be difficult for patients and healthcare providers as he described how they are preparing for a "a perfect storm".
As of this morning, 290 people have tested positive for Covid-19 through PCR tests, while 710 have registered positive antigen tests.
There are currently 409 patients in hospital with the virus, while there were 327 patients with Covid-19 last Tuesday.
Mr Donnelly said they also anticipate a "bad flu season".
He added they are putting a lot of resources in place, as he expressed confidence in the HSE winter plan and Covid plan.
The HSE has a set up a team that will be interacting with all 29 Emergency Departments through the winter "to make sure whatever can be done will be done", he said.
He appealed to people to get their Covid booster and a flu vaccine to protect themselves and to "help hospitals" too.
Meanwhile, the minister said intensive discussions on new consultant contracts will need to come to an end soon and he wants a "very attractive contract" in place quickly.
He did not confirm if this would include 30% pay cuts being restored, which consultants have been calling for. He estimates another 2,000 consultants are needed in this contract.
Professor Anthony Staines of Dublin City University has said we should be doing whatever we can now to reduce the spread of both flu and Covid-19 ahead of winter.
Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime, Prof Staines said there is no need to panic, but the situation should be taken seriously.
He encouraged anyone who is able to get a flu vaccine to do so, explaining that while it may not prevent you from contracting the flu, it should prevent you from becoming very ill.
"Australia has had a fairly significant flu season and a lot of Covid, and it put great pressure on the health service, which is well ahead of ours," he said.
"They’re very worried in the UK right now. Their minister for health has been saying much the same as Minister Donnelly has been saying, and they’re both right.
"We need to do what we can to manage this and bring case numbers down."
