The Department of Health has been notified of 4,004 new cases of Covid-19.
There are 481 people in hospital, down 30 since yesterday, of whom 111 people are in ICU, up one.
It comes as people aged 40 to 49 years could be in line to receive booster vaccines before Christmas.
Indications from Government today suggest it is more than likely that boosters will begin to be made available to this cohort by the end of next week.
This move would mean that people in this age group could get a booster if it is at least five months since they got a second vaccine dose.
They should receive an appointment to attend a vaccination centre but there is also the option of going to a walk-in clinic or a pharmacy where the boosters are administered.
Government is keen to emphasise that booster vaccines offer the best protection against the new variant.
Politically the mood is being described as one of “high alert” as public health experts across Europe continue to assess the potential impact of Omicron.
However, any prospect of schools shutting early for the Christmas holidays is being discounted.
Senior political sources insisted today that there is “not a chance” of this happening.
The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive are currently looking at booster scheduling options in light of the latest advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC).
The updated roll-out plan will be published next week.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive of the HSE has said they do expect to have administered around 1.5 million Covid-19 vaccine booster doses by Christmas, as indicated by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Paul Reid said it “all depends on take-up” but that based on what they are seeing, they do expect to be at around the 1.5 million mark.
He also said they “haven’t publically communicated out” in terms of the 40 to 49 age group.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Katie Hannon, he said if there is any immediate change to that, they will communicate it through the minister.
“But right now we haven’t done that yet… our target group for 50s, we started that well in advance of when we planned so we’ll continuously monitor that and if there is a change and if there’s a formal announcement it will come through the minister.”
Mr Reid said the HSE has extended the number of walk-in centres and it is trying to get the balance between walk-ins and appointments.
He said walk-in clinics are “enhanced options” but appointments are still the primary focus.
He said they have boosted resources at clinics over the last few weeks and will continue to do so.
Earlier, Mr Reid said he expects hospitals to be under great pressure this month and next because of coronavirus.
