Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Ronan Glynn has said that the "seed" for next week's cases has already been sown with a jump expected.
A further 21 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Ireland today with one further death but there is major concern cases will soon soar.
Dr Glynn and Professor Phillip Nolan have said we are in a "precarious" position after the recent spike.
The top doctor said that the cases next week are now out of their hands but people can lower the figures the following weeks by heeding public health advice.
The acting CMO said today: "The cases which we will report next week have already been seeded, however we have the power to limit the spread and impact of this disease beyond that; the way we do so is through following public health advice, avoiding high risk situations and encouraging our friends and family to do the same."
The R rate has now risen above 1 which could see cases surge soon.
Professor Nolan said: "Our best estimate of the R-number currently stands at 1.4 but it could be as high as 1.8. We have an opportunity now to maintain suppression of the virus.”
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