82 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the midlands yesterday.
The cabinet will meet this afternoon to consider bringing in full Level 5 lockdown restrictions.
That would involve non-essential retail and gyms closing and travel limited to 5 kilometres from your home.
The ban on household mixing, due to come in on New Year's Day, could also be brought forward.
It's after 1,546 new cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday - a record daily figure.
Ferbane's Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Independent News and Media, says ministers are likely to tighten restrictions:
Cases are also rising in the midlands, with 82 new coronavirus infections confirmed yesterday.
38 in Laois, 27 in Westmeath and 17 in Offaly.
Despite this, Offaly remains the second lowest 14-day incidence rate at 98.8, while Westmeath is seventh nationally at 136.3.
Laois, meanwhile, has more than double the incidence rate of Offaly at 225.5 per 100,000 people.
TII Pressured To Provide Update On Major Midlands Road Project
Edenderry Festival Lineup Revealed
Midlands-Based Student Takes Bronze At Culinary Contest
New Legislation Just The First Step -Midlands Cancer Support Centre
Irish Credit Unions Hit Record Lending Levels
ADHD Ireland Issues Social Media Warning
Laois Footballer Tackles First Dates Ireland
New Jobs Announced For Midlands
Cancer Survivors Welcome ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ Mortgage Reform
Irish Cancer Society Calls For Support This Daffodil Day
Interactive Offaly Event Highlights Barriers Faced By Abuse Survivors
Lawyers Seek To Overturn Murder Conviction Over Midlands Shooting
Burglary Gang Breaks Into Midlands Shopping Centre
Laois TD Wants New Fire Station Fastracked
Midlands Housing Commencements Continue To Rise
Almost 39,000 Midlands Workers Auto-Enrolled In New Government Pension Scheme
RTB Figures Show Annual Increase Of Over 10% For New Tenancy Rates In Offaly
12 One Act Plays To Be Staged By Laois Arts Collective
No Indication Of Meningitis Outbreak In Ireland - HSE
Laois Library To Host 'Skills For Life' Event