Older and vulnerable people are being strongly advised to limit the number of people they meet to a "very small core group".
The warning came from Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn after 613 new cases of Covid-19 were reported here yesterday.
These are the highest daily figures in more than five months. Ten further deaths were also notified but eight of these occurred before September.
Dr Glynn said the numbers yesterday and over the past week represent "a significant escalation" in the profile of coronavirus in Ireland. "For those aged 70 plus, and those who are medically vulnerable to Covid-19, it is strongly recommended that you should limit the number of people you meet to a very small core group of family members, carers or