6,110 cases - of which 129 are in Kerry - have been reported by NPHET this evening (Monday), with six additional deaths.

There is now a total of 107,997 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.

As of 2pm today, 776 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 70 are in ICU, and there’s been 92 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

“Leaders and organisations in communities across the country now need to support their colleagues, neighbours, family and friends to keep to the spirit of public health advice,” Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, said.

“We must restrict our movements, we have to limit the people we interact with outside of our households, if we are to suppress the virus and sustain our essential services.”

Professor Philip Nolan, Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said: “Scenario models raise the possibility of 1,500-2,000 people in hospital, and 200-400 people in ICU by mid-January, if we do not act to radically reduce transmission and incidence. It will take all of us, adopting the public health measures of staying home and reducing contacts, to suppress current levels of disease.”

Professor Karina Butler, Chair of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, said; “The vaccination programme has commenced for the first priority groups. The roll out has been accelerated this week. As we continue to provide vaccines across the population we urge anyone with concerns or questions to contact their GP, pharmacist or healthcare service provider for factual and reliable information. The HSE.ie website also provides reliable information around vaccine efficacy and safety.”