The next three or four days are 'critical' to Dublin's battle against Covid-19, the Acting Chief Medical Officer has said.
The capital was placed under Level Three restrictions almost two weeks ago after a surge in cases, a move which saw bars and restaurants unable to serve food outside close their doors.
Dublin has the second highest incidence rate in the country at 156 per 100,000 - only Donegal is worse off at 204.
Dr Ronan Glynn told the Special Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 Response that there was some reason for optimism in Dublin as the figures have stabilised in recent days.
However, he warned that it was too early to say at this point that it's turning around.
He said that the next three of four days are 'critical' for the capital's response to the virus, saying that if restrictions were due to expire tomorrow, he would advice the be extended.
Dr Glynn said it's possible to turn things around, saying the "positive story" that keeps getting missed is what people in many counties have done to turn around a negative trajectory.
He also said no delay in testing is acceptable and he would be the first to argue that we need faster tests and faster turnaround times.
But he reiterated that although testing is important and people need to know if they are positive or not, while they wait for a test they must isolate.
Meanwhile, he warned that Ireland may have to change the way we respond to the virus after nine months if we don’t have a vaccine, adding that a "chapter three" could be on the cards.
But he said he wanted to give hope that there is “massive global research” happening and although we can’t be “overly optimistic”, we have to be confident in six to nine months time if we get through winter, 2021 will be a more positive year.
