The number of daily Covid-19 case numbers is likely to hit 7,000 over the coming days, according to the head of the HSE.
It comes after a record 4,962 new cases of the virus were confirmed yesterday.
744 people are in hospital with the virus at present and it’s rising at a rate of almost 20 per cent per day.
The Chief Executive of the HSE says non-urgent healthcare in hospitals is going to be cancelled as a result of the deteriorating situation.
Paul Reid says they have to curb the spread of Covid "The numbers on that trajectory we cannot sustain. We will be taking actions this week to reduce and, in most cases, eliminate it - non-urgent care across our hospital system.
We have to create capacity during this week, we have to reduce the footfall in our hospitals and we have to reduce the risk.
Meanwhile, the Irish Medical Organisation has deferred strike action due to take place this month.
Public Health Doctors were due to walk off the job on the 14th, 20th and 21st of January in a dispute over pay.
The decision has been made given the doctor's roles in helping to control the spread of Covid-19.
The situation will be reviewed later this month.
