Seven more people have died with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and a further 555 people have tested positive, the Department of Health said.
A total of 3,965 infections were detected over the last seven days, an increase of 695 on the previous seven days.
There have been 1,203 deaths and 62,497 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since the pandemic began earlier this year.
The north's hospitals are caring for 446 people with coroanvirus, 24 of whom are on ventilation.
There are cases in 87 care homes with 45 care homes having asymptomatic cases.
There have been 68 deaths in the past seven days, compared to 54 in the previous seven days.
Health Minister Robin Swann today said Stormont ministers were taking a "balanced and precautionary" approach but a new strain of coronavirus was a cause of serious concern.
He told a Stormont Assembly committee: "Act on the assumption that it is already present."
In the Republic, the Department of Health confirmed 727 new cases, bringing the total number to 80,267.
There have been no further deaths reported, meaning the death toll remains at 2,158.
Chair of the NPHET Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group Professor Philip Nolan said this evening: "We are clearly now in a third wave of this pandemic, with very rapidly rising case numbers."
Increased case numbers are almost certainly linked to socialisation, he said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "This virus is spreading very, very quickly now" and advised people to stop socialising, cancel plans and to stay at home.
Read more:Only travel if it is essential - Health Minister Robin Swann
