A new all-time record level of Covid-19 infection -- 26,122 new confirmed cases -- has been set in the Republic.
917 people are in hospital with the virus, which is down 19 on yesterday.
The number of people being treated for Covid -19 in the country's ICU's is at its lowest level since early November.
83 people are receiving critical care.
Today's record breaking case count is widely expected to be an under-estimate of the exact number of positive cases in the community.
The HSE has still to confirm a system which would allow positive antigen tests to be uploaded to give a more complete picture of the actual virus numbers in the country.
Demand for PCR testing and availability of antigen tests have been under severe pressure this week.
Ireland's Covid vaccination programme has now been extended to all children aged 5-11.
Children in this age group, who have been registered, are being offered appointments from today.
The children will receive a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine - with appointments at vaccination centres around the country.
