Face masks could be made mandatory again in certain settings, HSE chief Paul Reid has warned.
The "significant" rise in Covid-19 cases has resulted in fears that a summer wave could hit Ireland.
There are over 600 patients with the virus in hospital across the country as of Monday morning. Of those, 23 people are in ICU.
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This is a major jump from yesterday when 574 hospital cases were recorded.
Mr Reid said the HSE is considering bringing back the mask mandate on public transport and enclosed spaces to help contain the increasing number of infections.
He told the Irish Examiner: "Yes, I think any time we get a trend like we’re getting at the moment it has to trigger considerations for reduced transmission.
"We’re strongly watching what’s happening. Our immediate priority is hospital cases, which are significantly rising."
Mr Reid added that authorities were worried about the virus spreading to nursing homes which could lead to restrictions on visitors.
Case numbers in nursing homes are increasing but experts are not seeing "significant harm or illness".
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