86 people are in ICU with the virus
There has been 20,110 confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
As of 8am today, 682 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 86 are in ICU.
Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer,commented: “Once again, we are reporting another very high number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
"The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 is continuing to increase.
“I know many people have cancelled or postponed planned social and family events, not just for News Years Eve, but right throughout the Christmas period.
"The occasions in life we most look forward to have been changed utterly by this pandemic.
"However, these collective efforts are necessary to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our health service," he insisted.
“It is timely today to remember all of those who continue to contribute so much to our response to COVID-19, particularly the individual and collective efforts of our frontline healthcare workers who are now facing into a third year of pandemic response.
"In the most challenging of circumstances, they continue to work to protect public health and to maintain access to services across all parts of our health service.
"In the delivery of both COVID and non-COVID services, patients and their families have benefitted from their empathy, skill, and care.
"January will likely be a difficult time and I would like to thank all of our health care workers most sincerely for their efforts," he said.

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