There are plans for a further eight dedicated self-isolation and coronavirus step down facilities across the country including Waterford.
The first facility, which has the capacity for around 1,500 people, opens today at Citywest Hotel in Dublin.
15 COVID-19 patients who were previously hospitalised are due to arrive at Citywest this evening to self-isolate.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid outlines some of the other locations where these facilities will be located.
"All across the country, we will have a number of these centres in the major urban centres - Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo.
"They will have a further 1,200 bed capacity with similar supports for the communities.
"The vast majority of people don't need hospital or don't need acute care but, they do need supports so that's primarily what these facilities are for."
