There has been a major jump in the number of people who have contracted Covid today with 5,483 new cases confirmed.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan called the rise “one of our highest ever daily figures of confirmed cases”.
There are 549 patients in hospital with the virus with 96 of these people in ICU.
Dr Holohan said this is another indication of the very significant increase in the incidence of disease in almost all age-groups across the population.
“As we look ahead to the weekend, we need to continue to make every effort we can to drive down incidence of disease and break the chains of transmission,” he said.
“Before you leave the house, think about the number of people you are going to meet, and the risk associated with the activities you have planned.”
Dr Holohan added the importance of keeping contacts low and avoiding crowds, wearing a mask correctly and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
He also encouraged people to meet outside if possible and practice good hand and respiratory hygiene.
“If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you should assume that you have this virus, self-isolate immediately and arrange a test. Do not assume that it’s just a cough or a cold,” he said.
