3,726 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed this evening.
It's the highest number of new cases since the 14th of January.
The 14-day incidence now stands at 695 per 100,000 people, an increase of 18% on last week.
493 patients are in hospital with the virus, of which 90 are in ICU.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly confirmed the news in the Dáil during a debate on the extension of emergency Government Covid powers.
Donnelly has asked the Dáil to extend emergency Covid powers until the 9th of February.
The measures allow the Government to order mask wearing, restrictions on hospitality and limits on the movement of people.
Dr Tony Holohan says COVID-19 is circulating widely in our community 'but we have the tools to limit its spread.'
The CMO added “We know that vaccination is very successful at preventing severe illness and hospitalisation and I urge anyone who still needs to get their Covid vaccine to do so."
"We also know that, even when vaccinated, we still need to practice basic public health interventions - washing our hands, opening windows, wearing masks and most importantly, staying home when we have symptoms. These simple measures are very successful at breaking the chains of transmission of this disease."
