There have been 2,778 further cases of COVID reported in Ireland.
There have been 1,171 PCR-confirmed cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
While yesterday, 1,607 people also registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.
As of 8.00am today, 599 patients were hospitalised with the virus - of whom 39 were in ICU.
That's a drop of 55 patients in hospitals in the last 24 hours, while the numbers in ICU have increased by two.
A vial of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Picture by: Marc Bruxelle / Alamy Stock PhotoIt comes as people can now book second COVID-19 booster doses at vaccination centres online.
These are being offered to those aged over-65, and those with a weak immune system.
While participating GPs and pharmacies will also begin giving second boosters in the coming weeks.
People over the age of 30 will be offered Moderna - while those under 30 will be offered Pfizer.
Head of the HSE vaccine programme, Dr Damien McCallion, says there's 'very strong' evidence backing the benefits of the second booster.
"I can't emphasise that enough. They did a very thorough international review.
"They looked at the evidence and they were very strong in relation to asking people to come forward.
"I can’t stress strongly enough that the medical evidence and the advice from our key medical staff is very clear that in order to prevent hospitalisation, severe illness and death that people do come forward."
He adds that there are around 750,000 people eligible for the second booster - including 50,000 immuno-compromised people.
