The Department of Health has been notified of 1,380 new cases of Covid-19.
The number of people in hospital is 459, up 53 on yesterday.
There are 74 people being treated in intensive care for the virus, up three.
It comes as immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill said it is “disgraceful” antigen testing for Covid-19 is not being rolled out extensively as he raised the issue of PCR tests being “so slow” in terms of providing results.
“You will spot 80% of cases with antigen testing. It is a shame we haven’t got them in every household.”
He also said the over 60s should be given a Covid-19 booster vaccine as soon as possible.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Brendan O’Connor programme, Prof O’Neill said the data from Israel is “compelling” and it would be effective to ensure people have further protection from the virus.
Four months into one of its worst Covid-19 outbreaks, Israel is seeing a sharp drop in new infections and severe illness, aided by its use of vaccine boosters, vaccine passports and mask mandates, scientists and health officials said this week.
Prof O’Neill said there should be a “rapid deployment of the booster campaign” as soon as the National Immunisation Advisory Council (NIAC) gives the green light to it.
He said he would recommend the Covid vaccine certs continue and that antigen testing would be useful to have also when nightclubs reopen.
“October 22nd is our next moment and they must reopen the nightclubs for definite. If we don’t we are just keeping them closed to protect the unvaccinated.”
He said it is about “preparing and getting on with things”.
