The head of the HSE says the number of Covid patients in hospital is causing huge stress for the health system.
1,625 people with the virus are being treated - up more than 300 from this time last week.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid says it's important to "turn the tide again" and do the basics like wearing a mask and isolating if you have symptoms.
Meanwhile the Chinese city of Shanghai has been divided in half for a two-part Covid lockdown.
Authorities will roll out an experimental testing regime after battling a new surge in cases.
People on either side of the city's Huangpu river will be told to stay home for five days at a time to allow for mass screening - and all public transport's being suspended.
