The Department of Health has reported 3,735 new cases of Covid-19.
566 people are currently in hospital with the virus - an increase of 30 on yesterday's figure.
117 people are being treated in ICU, a decrease of 1 on yesterday.
The @hpscireland has today been notified of 3,735* confirmed cases of #COVID19.
As of 8am today, 566 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 117 are in ICU.
*Daily case numbers may change due to future data validation
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) November 28, 2021
The figures come as officials try to learn more about a new Covid-19 variant of concern that is believed to be more transmissible.
NPHET member Dr Cillian De Gasgun says Omicron is very different to the original Wuhan variant of the virus, but he believes the vaccine will be effective against this strain too:
"What we have seen now is, in reality, the primary course for these vaccines is probably three doses. When everyone has three doses and been boosted, then we can see what the future looks like."
Meanwhile on Friday, the EU recommended additional rules for passengers arriving from southern Africa and other countries affected by the new Omicron variant.
But South African GP Dr Angelique Coetzee says her patients with Omicron have presented with mild symptoms so far.
Dr Coetzee thinks the travel restrictions were brought in as a knee-jerk reaction:
"I would have suspected by now that we would have seen more severe cases. It might change going forward, we don't know."
