The HSE says the healthcare system is overheated and under serious pressure.
It comes as the Cabinet Sub Committee on Covid-19 will meet this evening to consider what action needs to be taken to tackle the escalating covid cases.
582 people were in hospital last night with the virus and 106 in ICU.
Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE Dr Colm Henry says staff had to provide critical care outside ICU settings over the weekend.
"We've seen our intensive care units particularly in the Dublin region under serious pressure, there's no doubt about that.
"We're having to cancel other operations, and having to exchange patients between hospitals, and having to provide intensive care treatment outside of intensive care settings too."
