Six additional deaths and 582 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ireland.
193 of the new cases are in Dublin, 59 in Wexford, 47 in Louth, 42 in Meath, 34 in Cork and the remaining 207 cases are spread all other remaining counties.
As of this afternoon, there were 198 COVID-19 patients in Irish hospitals - including 34 in intensive care.
The national 14-day incidence rate has now again risen above 100 per 100,000.
It comes as NPHET has recommended that new restrictions should come into effect before New Year's Eve.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan this evening said: “Over the past week, we have expressed significant concern that the level of infection was deteriorating day on day.
"The data today adds further evidence that the situation is getting worse more rapidly than we expected.
“The country simply cannot cope with this level of infection as we head into Christmas week.
"With vaccines offering hope in the coming months for our most vulnerable groups, we want to keep them alive and well so that they can receive it."
