There have been 9,441 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Ireland today.
That includes 5,035 PCR-confirmed cases, as well as 4,406 positive antigen tests results registered on the HSE portal.
The five-day moving average of new cases now stands at 8,504.
As of this morning, the number of patients with COVID-19 in hospital was 639 - up from 631 yesterday.
However, the number of patients in ICU has continued to fall - down from 62 yesterday to 58 today.
Today's figures come as NPHET meets to consider whether to lift the legal requirement for face masks to be worn in certain settings, such as shops, public transport and schools.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan told the Dáil he believes it's time to end the mandatory wearing of facemasks.
He said there should be a move from a "mandatory system towards a guidance system".
He said it "makes real sense" for people to continue wearing masks, but it's time to "unwind" the mandatory element of the rules.
