The World Health Organisation says the 'substantial' rise in Covid cases in Ireland over the past week, is a cause of concern.
At least 3,000 cases have been reported every day for the past week.
The five-day moving average now stands at 3,440 - after rising by 852 in the space of seven days.
Dr David Nabarro, the W-H-O's special envoy on Covid, says the increase in cases is very worrying.
"The situation in Ireland is once again a cause of concern.
"That's because the rise you have in cases is now quite substantial over the last week.
"Rising cases is having a big impact on hospitals, not only are there many people with covid in hospital but these covid patients are impacting on the capacity of hospitals to deal with non urgent procedures."
