The Health Service Executive's CEO has said Covid-19 transmission is rampant and well in excess of forecast levels, adding that test and trace is not the first line of defence against the disease.
Paul Reid said the public needs to stay at home and reduce contacts. By doing so, he said, the country will get this under control.
He warned that what people do today is important. Mr Reid said the daily case rate is well above 5,000 and heading for 6,000.
Mr Reid said they are seeing a massive multiplier effect with rapidly growing cases, positivity and increased contacts, adding that transmission rates are far above any projections.