It’s a grim start to 2022.

A further 23,281 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed today, with the real figure estimated to be considerably higher due to nationwide delays in PCR testing.

As of 8am on New Year’s Day, 656 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 85 are in ICU.

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan warned that the number of people in hospital with the virus is continuing to increase.

The @hpscireland has today been notified of 23,281* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
As of 8am today, 656 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 85 are in ICU.

— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 1, 2022

“I know many people have canceled or postponed planned social and family events, not just for New Year’s Eve, but right throughout the Christmas period,” he said.

“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.

“We must all remember that it is our collective, national response and the ongoing and extraordinary sacrifices each one of us is making that will break the chains of transmission, minimise the pressure on our health service, ensure that as few families as possible are similarly impacted in 2022 and lead to brighter days ahead.” he added.