Health officials have announced a new record 23,817 COVID cases this evening.
This morning, there were 941 patients with COVID in hospital – up 13 on yesterday and 322 on this day last week.
There were 90 in intensive care – down four on yesterday but up two on last week.
The five-day moving average is now 19,366.
It comes as the Government began sending out the first booster certs this afternoon.
The Department of Health said it will take a number of days to send out certs to the 2.2 million people who have received their booster or third dose.
Meanwhile, new Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) figures have found that there were more COVID outbreaks in Irish schools in the second half of last year than in any other public place.
Ahead of this morning’s return to school, teachers unions warned that schools would face staffing issues as children return – with the Government accepting that some classes and individual schools may have to temporarily close in the coming weeks.
Nearly one-third of primary school children were absent from class today, according to a survey carried out by the National Principals’ Forum.
