The second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in over six months has been reported today.
There are 1,491 new infections.
The number of patients in hospital has risen to 193 - the highest since April - with 28 in intensive care.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is encouraging people to risk-assess their weekend plans - and not to become complacent.
However, he said the positive news is that the vaccine uptake in Ireland is "extremely high".
Ireland's vaccine programme continues to motor along.
Latest HSE stats on uptake by age group: (1st doses as of August 4)
💉 18 - 29: 73%
💉 30 - 39: 84%
💉 40 - 49: 90%
💉 50 - 59: 94%
💉 60 - 69: 96%
💉 70 - 79: 99%
💉 80+: 99%— Paul O'Donoghue (@paulodonoghue93) August 5, 2021
He said: "[It] shows people understand the benefits for themselves and for their communities of getting vaccinated.
"Those with at least a first dose in the over 40s is over 90%, in the over 30s it is 84%, in the 18 to 29 year age group it is over 73%, and in the 16-17 year age group, it is over 46%.
"These figures continue to increase, and each person who has come forward should be commended."
