The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital has risen by almost 60% in the last two weeks.
As of 8 am today, there were 957 patients with the virus, a rise of 62 on the same time yesterday.
The figure represents the highest level in just under eight weeks, since 18 January, when it stood at 979.
It also compares to 749 people last Sunday and 603 on this day two weeks ago, an increase of 58.7% during that period.
The number of patients with the virus receiving treatment in intensive care units remains relatively stable.
As of 11.30am today, there were 41 people with the coronavirus in ICU, the same figure as yesterday.
Despite the rise in hospital cases, public health officials said earlier this week that more than half of the patients with Covid in hospital were there for other reasons and not due to the virus.
A total of 6,611 people have died with Covid-19 in Ireland since the start of the pandemic.
Covid-19 cases are no longer updated at the weekend but on Friday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of 9,186 new PCR-confirmed cases of the disease.
it also reported that a further 6,752 people had registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.
Stormont’s Department of Health reported 1,669 new coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland today and two more Covid-related deaths.
News courtesy: RTE