There are over 550 patients in hospital with Covid-19.
HSE chief Paul Reid has called on the public to immediately reduce "risk activities", stating that Covid-19 is "prolific in most communities".
His comments come as health officials and the Government have expressed concern regarding a recent rise in Covid-19 figures.
5,483 new cases of the virus were confirmed in Ireland on Friday, the highest daily figure since early January.
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Meanwhile, the Mater Hospital in Dublin announced on Friday evening it is
limiting activity at the hospital to essential services only until further notice.
It said the move was "necessary" in order to deal with the impact of the latest Covid wave.
In a Covid-19 update posted to Twitter, Reid stated that there are 556 patients with the virus in hospital, with 250 receiving enhanced respiratory supports and 95 in intensive care units.
"The virus is now prolific in most communities and nobody wants to be the next hospitalised case," he said.
"An immediate reduction by all of us of risk activities is needed to turn this around."
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In a statement, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan said Friday's confirmed Covid-19 case figure was another indication of the "very significant increase in the incidence of disease in almost all age groups across the population".
Ahead of the weekend, the CMO said the public needs to continue to make every effort to "drive down incidence of disease and break the chains of transmission".
He urged people to think before leaving their house about the number of people they are going to meet and the risk associated with the activities they have planned.
He said the following measures can reduce risk:
- Keep your contacts low and avoid crowds
- Wear a mask correctly
- Meet outside if possible
- Avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces
- Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
The CMO also said vaccines remain "extraordinarily effective" against severe disease and that the vast majority of people with Covid are experiencing mild symptoms.
However, he added that the outcome for any one person diagnosed with Covid-19 is "uncertain" and that it remains vital the public all continue to adhere to the public health advice in order to protect themselves and their families.
"If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you should assume that you have this virus, self-isolate immediately and arrange a test. Do not assume that it’s just a cough or a cold," the CMO added.
Main image via Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland
