The Department of Health has this evening reported 3,394 new cases of Covid-19, by far Ireland's highest daily figure since the beginning of the pandemic.

Four additional deaths related to coronavirus have also been recorded and the he high number of cases is partly due to a delay in formal reporting. At a press briefing this evening, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said that "the incidence of Covid-19 is as high, if not higher now than it was in March. Every individual needs to act as if they are infectious." He added that "hospitalisations are rising to levels close to what we saw in the springtime. Everyone needs to stay at home other than for essential work or care." Dr. Holohan called on the public to "rediscover the spirit of solidarity and community we saw in March and April so that we can all do our part in protecting older and vulnerable people. It is really important that vulnerable and older people do not leave their homes unless absolutely essential. "This includes asking neighbours or family to carry out errands such as grocery shopping, limiting all contacts to only those people you live with or have to visit for essential care reasons," Dr. Holohan said. Speaking earlier today on RTÉ's Saturday with Katie Hannon, Professor Philip Nolan of the National Public Health Emergency Team has said that daily Covid-19 cases could be in the thousands for a week or 10 days before new Level 5 restrictions introduced on December 30 come into effect.