The HSE's urging all hospitals to scale down elective procedures and prioritise urgent care over the next two weeks to deal with the Omicron surge.
In a letter to hospital management, Paul Reid says the redeployment of staff is also needed as the country deals with record infection rates.
884 people are in hospital with Covid this morning - up 80 in 24 hours and more than double the figure from Christmas Day.
Paul Reid, says staffing levels are being severely impacted by the new variant:
