About 1,800 people were diagnosed with human swine flu in the last week, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.
Department officials said 19 people were being treated in hospital, with four of those patients in intensive care.
Two people have also died from the H1N1 virus in recent weeks. John Devlin, deputy chief medical officer, said the deaths, while tragic, did not mean the bug was more serious.
“The most important factor is that symptoms are mild in the majority of cases,” he added.
Dr Devlin said a total of 62 patients have been hospitalised to date, with 10% admitted to intensive care.
He also revealed less than half of all those in hospital have had underlying health problems.
Figures revealed between August 10th and 16th the rate of diagnoses in the community was 42.2 per 100,000 - up from 32.5.
But Dr Devlin stressed this figure was still well below the normal winter flu rates which peaked at 120 per 100,000 last season.
The medic said while there was no difference between male and female rates, children and young adults were most affected - with 80 per cent of all cases in the under 35s.
Elsewhere he revealed cases had appeared all over the country, with 26 localised outbreaks.
Medics also warned cases of influenza will rise and that a number of campaigns will be launched in the coming weeks on the importance of hand hygiene and coughing - particularly targeting schools.
Pat Doorley, national director of population with the HSE, said there was no reason why schools should not open at the end of the month and warned teachers to be vigilant.
He also said the HSE planned to vaccinate every person in the country over the next six to 12 months once the medication was approved.