Ireland is "taking all mitigating actions" as the country copes with a surge in Covid-19 cases, the head of the HSE has said.
Paul Reid, in a tweet on Saturday morning, said: "We're surging across the whole health system and taking all mitigating actions.
"We value and appreciate everyone's support."
Mr Reid, chief executive of the HSE, said there are currently 640 patients in hospital with Covid-19.
As of Saturday morning, 118 people are in intensive care.
Some #COVID19 updates. 200,500 lab tests done in the past 7 days. 550,000 boosters & 3rd doses administered so far. 640 hospital patients, 118 in ICU. We're surging across the whole health system & taking all mitigating actions. We value & appreciate everyone's support. @HSELive
- Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) November 20, 2021
A booster programme is currently being rolled out by the HSE, with 550,000 jabs administered so far.
Health officials have in recent days expressed concern about the potential for a further rise in Covid-19 cases and the crippling effect it could have on the fragile health system.
Some hospitals already foresee the cancellation of elective treatments in the coming days as pressure builds.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn, in a video posted on Twitter on Friday, said it was possible Ireland could record 200,000 cases of Covid-19 in December.
"The next few weeks will be difficult for everybody," he predicted.
Our modelling suggests that we will record upwards of 200,000 cases of #COVID19 in December.
This is not inevitable. These people have not yet been infected and, together, we can avoid this case load and ensuing impact on our Health Service.
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- Dr Ronan Glynn (@ronan_glynn) November 19, 2021
Earlier this week, the Government introduced a set of fresh measures it hopes will slow the spread of Covid-19.
This includes ordering that pubs, nightclubs and restaurants should now have a midnight closing time while people are also being asked to work from home if possible.
It will take several days for health officials to be able to say if the new measures are having the desired effect and if Ireland can avoid the return of tougher restrictions, which have not been ruled out by Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
On Friday night, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "Anyone who is going to get Covid-19 in December has not yet been infected.
"Their infection is not inevitable and there is still time to prevent it by small changes in our behaviour."
Anyone who may have been in contact with a person who has COVID-19, is advised to contact HSE Live via 1850 24 1850 or on the HSE website here
If you are unwell with a cough, especially with respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, high temperature, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever) you should isolate yourself immediately and phone your GP
If you have a COVID-19 related travel query, you can call the dedicated advice centre on (01)613 1733.
Follow the government's latest travel advice here