A further 591 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Republic, as well as three more deaths.

This brings the total number of cases here to 64,046 while the total number of deaths is now 1,933.

Of the 591 confirmed cases, 120 occurred in Dublin, 75 in Donegal, 50 in Cork, 46 in Kerry and 44 in Limerick.

As of 2pm on Thursday, there were 302 people in hospital with confirmed COVID, 38 of whom were in ICU. There had been 20 additional hospitalisations in the previous 24 hours.

The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population in the 14 days up to midnight on November 4 was 202.1 nationally. However nine counties were above this national average, with Donegal the worst affected, at 300.3 per 100,000, followed by Cavan (294.1) and Meath (291.7).

The counties with the lowest 14-day incidence rate were Leitrim (56.2), Wicklow (106.7) and Offaly (112.9).

The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, pointed out that a second surge of the virus is taking place across Europe, however Ireland is bucking the trend.

"Ireland and Finland are the only European countries in the EU where reductions in 14-day incidence have been observed. All other countries are increasing," he noted.

However he urged people not to become complacent at this time and to "keep going".

Dr Holohan also said it was important to recognise the efforts of young people in recent weeks.

"The 19-to-24 age group has achieved a dramatic reduction in incidence, from 450 per 100,000 to 150 per 100,000 in two weeks. They have also halved their contacts in the past five weeks. We all need to recognise the efforts of our young people and I thank them," he said.

Meanwhile, according to the HSE's national clinical advisor and group lead for acute hospitals, Dr Vida Hamilton, "while the age demographic of cases vary from the first surge back in March to this one, ICU admissions have affected people from all age groups".

The average length of stay in ICU for COVID-19 patients is 17.8 days.

For more information on level 5 restrictions, which apply to the entire country, click here.