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There have been three additional Covid-related deaths, the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) announced.
This brings the total number of coronavirus-related deaths to 1,841.
The HPSC has been notified of 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There have now been a total of 47,427 cases in Ireland.
Of the current cases, there are 254 in Dublin, 102 in Meath, 88 in Cork, 81 in Cavan and 75 in Galway.
The remaining 400 cases are spread over 200 counties.
At 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, 246 Covid-19 patients are hospitalized, of which 30 are in Intensive Care Units.
In the last 24 hours, there were 13 new hospitalizations.
Dr. Tony Holohan, Medical Director, said: “The number of cases continues to increase. Right now, we need everyone to keep their social contacts to an absolute minimum.
In the north today, 1,299 new cases of Covid-19 were reported, as well as two deaths.
Nphet recommended that Ireland enter a six-week level 5 Covid-19 lockdown.
The recommendation was made last night in a letter sent to the Government.
Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan entered level 4 last night, while a national ban on home visiting also went into effect.
Level 5 would return the country to a state of lockdown similar to that seen in March and is seen as an opportunity to ensure there are no major restrictions during Christmas.
At Level 5, people would be restricted to moving within 5km of their homes, pubs and restaurants would operate take-out only, and public gatherings would be largely prohibited.
The cabinet subcommittee on Covid = 19 is expected to meet tomorrow afternoon to consider the situation with a full cabinet meeting possible after that.
Speaking in Brussels today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the government is giving the recommendation “very active consideration” but did not set a timeline on when a decision can be expected.
“The situation is very serious and we will need more action in this regard.
“Obviously, the government will consider in detail, looking at all aspects of this and making sure that when we respond, it will be a comprehensive response.”
He said: “We have already moved to level three, we have already told people not to visit their home.
“We have measures in Ireland that many European countries, although they have higher figures than Ireland, do not have.
“That said, we take Nphet’s advice very seriously. This advice should be taken into account. We want to have the situation well documented, well prepared. “
A general consensus is emerging in the government that they do not believe this decision can be delayed beyond the weekend.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that people cannot stay in the lurch.
“The situation is serious and worrying. It is dangerous and there must be a government intervention now.
“In my opinion, any idea that this could be postponed or that they can wait to meet on Monday or Tuesday is simply not sustainable and would be dangerous.”
But Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says that Nphet must first answer a series of questions.
“What is the goal we are trying to achieve and what would be the exit strategy?
“As we know from the last lockdown, when you get into it it can last much longer than you think. It can be quite slow to get out of it again.
“I can understand the opinion I sometimes hear from retailers and restaurateurs ‘let’s close now and we can reopen and have a normal Christmas.’ I would hate to make that kind of promise.”
It is a massive decision with far-reaching consequences and the government will have to decide whether or not to go against Nphet’s advice a second time.
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