A further 444 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Republic, as well as eight more deaths.

This brings the total number of cases here to 63,483, while the total number of deaths is now 1,930.

Of the 444 confirmed cases, 158 occurred in Dublin, 48 in Cork, 36 in Galway and 28 in Limerick.

As of 2pm on Wednesday, there were 310 people in hospital with confirmed COVID, 41 of whom were in ICU. There had been 25 additional hospitalisations in the previous 24 hours.

The 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 of the population in the 14 days up to midnight on November 3 was 212.7 nationally. However 11 counties were above this national average, with Cavan the worst affected, at 364.9 per 100,000, followed by Meath (323), Donegal (286.4) and Sligo (283.8).

The counties with the lowest 14-day incidence rate were Leitrim (68.7), Wicklow (104.6) and Offaly (118).

The chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, reminded people that if they are a close contact of a confirmed case, they should restrict their movements for 14 days and attend for their two free COVID-19 tests - one on day zero and one on day seven.

"This is because as an identified close contact, you have come into contact with the virus. It may take some time for this to become apparent, or for you to become infectious.

"By staying at home for this entire 14 day period, you are helping to stop the spread of this dangerous disease. In following this important guidance, you are helping to bring this virus right back down to where we all need it to be and playing your part in this national effort," Dr Holohan said.

Meanwhile earlier on Wednesday, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, told the Oireachtas Health Committee the reproduction rate of the virus has dropped below one for the first time since July and is now estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9.

For more information on level 5 restrictions, which apply to the entire country, click here.