Cases of COVID-19 are rising in all age groups and across all counties, the deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Ronan Glynn said the vaccine programme is having a "very positive impact" on the number of infected people who end up in hospital or ICU.
However, he's warning that the current high incidence rate will still see a "significant number of people getting very sick".
1,978 new cases of the virus were confirmed yesterday - the highest daily figure in nearly seven months.
Meanwhile, there are 221 people with COVID-19 in Irish hospitals, including 43 in ICU.
In early July, less than one person was being admitted to ICU with #COVID19 on average per day; over the past week we have seen 4 admissions to ICU per day.
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đđâšī¸đĻ pic.twitter.com/PGnRT1JdfCâ Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) August 13, 2021
Dr Glynn said there's been a four-fold increase in COVID hospitalisations and ICU admissions over the past six weeks, as well as a significant increase in case numbers.
He said: "We've reported over 10,000 cases in the last week alone.
"While we have very high incidence across Donegal, Monaghan, Mayo, Galway, Louth and Cavan in particular, incidence is rising across all 26 counties.
"While incidence is particularly high in those aged 16-29 years, incidence is now rising across all age groups."
He said vaccines work, but "must be supported" by other public health advice - such as mask-wearing, hygiene, and meeting others outdoors wherever possible.
The vaccine rollout continues this weekend, with people aged 12-15 now receiving their vaccines in centres across the country.
