There's a long way to go until COVID restrictions can be eased, according to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
It comes as 214 people are in ICU and 1,969 people hospitalised with COVID.
Next week the cabinet will announce a significant extension to the current lockdown that will take things until at least the end of February and likely up until St Patrick's Day.
The hospitality sector is likely to be closed even longer, potentially until April or May.
However, the government is hopeful of re-opening schools and the wider construction sector next month.
This morning Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn wouldn't be drawn on whether he thinks that can happen.
However, other health officials have gone further with the HSE's Dr Colm Henry saying transmission rates are 'frankly too high' for schools to re-open as planned on the 1st of February.
Given the failure of the government to negotiate the re-opening of special needs education this week it seems unlikely that schools will open as planned in 10 days time.
