Health officials have announced a further 4,235 COVID cases this evening.
A further 47 COVID-related deaths have been recorded in the past week, taking the death toll in Ireland to 5,835.
This morning, there were 470 COVID-19 patients in hospital – a 13.5% drop on this day last week.
There were 105 in intensive care, which is 13 fewer than last week.
A further 24 Omicron cases have been detected taking the total in Ireland to 42.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said some of the Omicron cases are now being transmitted in the community in Ireland.
“Today marks ten days before Christmas,” he said.
“If you contract COVID-19 today, your isolation period will include Christmas Day. This can be avoided by ensuring you take every step possible to protect yourself.
“If you are planning to spend Christmas with older family members, anyone immunocompromised or vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, it is best that you take precautions from today.
“Avoid crowds, limit your contacts, work from home unless absolutely necessary, risk assess your environments and make safe choices over the coming days and weeks.”
He said getting the booster is now as vital as getting the first dose was earlier this year.
“Everyone should be aware that Omicron spreads very easily and we have now identified community transmission in Ireland, to the extent that this variant accounts for approximately 13% of all reported cases,” he said.
“Taking the opportunity to get a booster dose of vaccination is as vital today as getting the first dose was earlier this year. You will begin to receive the benefit of your booster protection within seven days of receiving your third dose.”
It comes after the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said NPHET was likely to recommend new COVID restrictions aimed at decreasing the amount of social mixing.
He said the current international travel restrictions would likely be relaxed and new measures on close contacts could be introduced.
While the most recent batch of restrictions - announced less than two weeks ago - cover the Christmas period and early January, Mr Varadkar stressed the situation is changing rapidly due to Omicron.
The Tánaiste said it's now expected that new strain, which officials yesterday suggested is now responsible for 14% of new cases, could become dominant in Ireland by next week.
