There have been 174 more confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ireland, including 110 new cases in Co Kildare.
There has been one more COVID-19 death in the country.
It brings the total number of cases since the pandemic began to 26,644, while the death toll stands at 1,772.
The number of new cases recorded today is the highest in almost three months.
110 cases of today's cases are located in Kildare, 27 in Dublin, seven in Cork, seven in Offaly and six in Meath.
17 are spread across thirteen other counties (Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow).
112 cases are associated with outbreaks or close contacts of confirmed cases, while five are from community transmission.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said today's numbers are high but not unexpected.
He said: "As I said last night, we are expecting significant numbers of cases to be reported over the coming days.
“Throughout this week, we have been testing all workers in facilities where outbreaks of COVID-19 have been identified as well as close contacts of those people who have received COVID positive results. Tonight’s figures are a reflection of these measures with 118 of these cases linked to the counties of Kildare, Laois and Offaly.
“Our priority now and our reason for recommending the proactive measures announced last night, is to avoid these cases and clusters leading to widespread community transmission of the disease."
Today's figures come after new regional restrictions were introduced for Kildare, Laois and Offaly at midnight.
The national incidence of COVID-19 stands at 16.3 per 100,000 people.
In Kildare it stands at 130.3, in Laois it is 69.7 and in Offaly it is 89.8.
Main image: File photo of Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
