Ministers are due to meet in the next hour to discuss new measures aimed at reducing the high Covid rates.
4,570 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.
The cabinet sub-committee will consider NPHET recommendations on the wider use of covid certs and advice on working from home.
Proposals for the further use of antigen tests will also be discussed - and how to make them more affordable.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin says despite pressure on hospitals, the country's in a different position to last year:
"If we didn't have vaccination, and the level of vaccination that we have, we would be in lockdown. Right now, given the, the number of cases. And there would have been a far higher conversion to hospitalisation and intensive care, and mortality rates of that there is no doubt that said we are in a serious situation in terms of the rising cases and the health services are under pressure."
