There are now 921 people with Covid-19 being treated in Irish hospitals this morning - the highest number since the pandemic began.
This morning's figures mark a 48-person increase since 8pm last night.
University Hospital Waterford has also recorded its highest number of patients with the disease.
There are now 30 on site - an increase of five since yesterday - six of those are being treated in Critical Care Units.
There are now 75 people with the virus being treated in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
With 921people in hospital, we've now exceeded the peak level of the 1st wave (881).75 in ICU. Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all do what's needed, turn this around, save lives, whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to. @HSELive
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) January 6, 2021
This morning, HSE CEO Paul Reid tweeted to confirm Ireland has exceeded the peak number recorded on April 15th of 881.
Mr Reid added: "Healthy people are getting very sick. Everyone gets how serious this is now. Let's all so what's needed, turn this around, save lives whilst the vaccine arrives. We have to."
Earlier this week, Mr Reid said there was surge capacity in the system for up to 450 critical care beds.
Former President of the Intensive Care Society Catherine Motherway says this is not a scenario staff want to be in.
"I would hope that we don't use any of the surge capacity because when you talk about using surge capacity in ICUs, you talk about a bed that isn't normally staffed with experienced personnel and transferring staff from other areas who have some baseline skills, but need significant support.
"We know from other jurisdictions, particularly our neighbours, that surge capacity does not have as good an outcome as your standard ICU capacity."
