A further 7,836 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, the highest daily number recorded so far.

This brings the total number of cases here to 121, 154. A further 17 deaths were also announced, bringing the total number of deaths here to 2,299.

Of the 7,836 cases, 2,263 occurred in Dublin, 1,373 in Cork, 496 in Louth, 345 n Limerick and 340 in Meath.

As of 2pm on Tuesday, there were 954 patients with COVID-19 in hospital, 88 of whom were in ICU. There had been 105 additional hospitalisations in the last 24 hours.

According to the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, Ireland is in "a serious phase of this surge of COVID-19" and there is now evidence of an increasing presence of the UK variant here.

"All counties have an upward trajectory of the disease. There is concerning escalation of admissions to hospitals and ICUs. We are very likely to see escalating mortality and ICU admissions in the coming days and weeks.

"It has never been more important, throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes," he commented.

He urged everybody to always adhere to public health advice - physical distancing, regular hand hygiene, proper cough/sneeze etiquette and wearing a face covering.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Government announced further restrictions to slow down the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of schools for the month of January. For more on this, click here.