Community transmission is rampant.

A total of 1,575 people are battling coronavirus in Irish hospitals this morning, with a further eight deaths and 6,888 new cases confirmed in the past 24 hours.

Of the new cases, 2,088 are in Dublin, with 862 in Cork, 469 in Limerick, 405 in Wexford, 320 in Waterford and the remaining 2,744 cases spread across all other counties.

The number of people requiring hospital care has jumped by 149 overnight, with one in every 77 people in the Republic of Ireland now testing positive for the virus.

Health Service Executive chief Paul Reid said that, while the public is broadly adhering to the Level 5 restrictions, healthcare staff have a long road ahead.

“It’s clear that most people have retreated to the safety of our homes. It’s hard, but needed.” Mr Reid tweeted.

It’s clear that most people have retreated to the safety of our homes. It’s hard, but needed. We’ve early signs of the benefit of this. However our healthcare staff will be dealing with increased pressure & strain next week. What we do today helps them to save lives. @HSELive

— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 10, 2021

“We’ve early signs of the benefit of this. However, our healthcare staff will be dealing with increased pressure and strain next week.”

Consultant in Public Health Dr Marie Casey said that the “pattern of infection indicates widespread community transmission. This is not like wave 2, more like wave 1 but worse.

The daily case number is high, and also an underestimate of what is really happening. Many people won’t be diagnosed.

You’ve got to assume that anyone you might meet is a positive. This is the time, of all the times in the past 10 months, that you need to stay at home.

— Dr Marie Casey (@marietcasey) January 10, 2021

“You’ve got to assume that anyone you might meet is a positive. This is the time, of all the times in the past ten months, that you need to stay at home.” she tweeted.