The five-day moving average of new cases has risen by 34 per cent in the past week
The HSE says the demand for Covid-19 tests has increased by up to 11 per cent in the space of a week.
About 100,000 tests have been taken in the past seven days - with high demand in Waterford, Carlow, Cork city and north Dublin.
The five-day moving average of new cases has risen by 34 per cent in the past week, and now stands at 1,578.
The HSE's head of testing and tracing, Niamh O'Beirne, says more and more people are coming forward for testing.
The number of Covid patients in hospital dropped to 383 last night - after a fall of 17 in the space of 12 hours.
But last night's figure is still 16 per cent higher than a week ago.
44 Covid patients are in University Hospital Limerick - which is the highest in the country.
Tallaght has 38 patients with the virus, while Cork University Hospital has 33.
Five Hospitalised After Arson Attack In Finglas
Gardaí Warn Drivers After 150 Caught Drink or Drug Driving Over Christmas Period
An Garda Síochána Release Image of Getaway Car Found Burnt Out In Naas Used In Fatal Offaly House Fire
Pedestrian Dies After Collision On R445 Monasterevin Road Outside Kildare Town
Fine Gael TD Calls For Restricted Bin Collection Times To Ease Traffic Delays
Gardaí Continue Their Road Traffic Enforcement Operation Throughout The Christmas Period
New Quality Mark To Be Introduced To Crack Down On Bogus English Language Schools
Concerns Rise As Organ Transplant Operations Decline
