A further 29 deaths from Covid have been recorded today with another 776 cases of the virus.
In Donegal, there have been a further 48 cases notified to the Department of Health.
It brings the total number of deaths since the onset of the pandemic to 4,300, with a cumulative total of 218,251 cases of the disease.
There have been 278 cases confirmed in Dublin today, 69 were in Galway, 57 were in Meath, 52 in Kildare, 48 in Donegal and the remaining 272 cases are spread across all other counties.
As of last Tuesday, a total of 373,280 Covid-19 vaccine doses had been administered, of which 134,439 were second doses.
The figures come as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer appealed to parents and guardians to avoid congregating at school gates as children return to school in the coming weeks.
Dr Ronan Glynn also asked people not to organise play dates, or after-school activities which involve household mixing.
“Our priority is to ensure a safe return to schools for students, their families and school staff, which is why we have recommended a phased return to in-school learning,” he said.
He added: “In making this recommendation, the NPHET’s most significant concern is that it will be taken as a signal by parents and wider society that other forms of household mixing, and mobility are now acceptable.
“We cannot afford for this to happen at this time. Despite the progress we have made, Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels in our communities.”
