Visiting restrictions remain in place with compassionate cases only allowed to attend the facility by appointment.

18 patients are waiting on a bed at Portiuncula Hospital.

It comes as educational facilities return today.

17,656 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed this evening.

Rail users are advised to check online for a full list of service disruptions and plan their journeys accordingly.

Rules around close contacts are set to be reviewed by public health officials tomorrow.

While evidence suggests the Omicron variant is less potent, the massive increase in positive tests is still resulting in a surge in hospitalisations.