The highest daily total of new cases of COVID-19 has been recorded in Northern Ireland.
Some 1,080 people tested positive for the coronavirus there in the last 24 hours.
While no additional deaths have been reported.
Meanwhile the North's Deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, is self-isolating as she waits for a test for coronavirus.
The Sinn Féin deputy leader will work from home, after she was a close contact of a family member who has tested positive for the virus.
It comes amid UK government proposals to split coronavirus restrictions in England into three tiers from as soon as next week, after infection rates soared in some areas.
Sources say parts of the north of England are set to be under the strictest measures - tier three - which would see pubs, restaurants and cafes close and all inter-household contact banned.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under pressure to follow Scotland's 'circuit breaker' two-week closure of hospitality venues in the worst affected areas.
On Thursday, 17,540 new coronavirus cases were reported in the UK - along with another 77 deaths.
Meanwhile here, the HSE has revealed it carried out over 19,500 COVID-19 tests on Thursday: a new daily record.
The executive has capacity for 100,000 a week, but has been facing calls to expand it.
Latest figures show the positivity rate for the testing in the past seven days is over 4%.
