Ireland's leading doctor has issued a stark warning as the country saw another shocking jump in COVID-19 cases tonight.
CMO Dr Tony Holohan said: "Case numbers are continuing to rise. Right now, we need everyone to cut their social contacts to an absolute minimum.
"Every time you physically interact with another person, you are providing an opportunity for the virus to spread.”
His warning came as 1,000 new cases of coronavirus were recorded in the country over the last 24 hours bringing the overall number of infections to 47,427.
Sadly three more people have lost their lives to the deadly virus and the death toll is now at 1,841.
As of 2pm today 246 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 30 are in ICU. 13 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.
NPHET is reported to have advised the Government last night to put the country into Level 5 for six weeks, hours after Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan issued a stark three-word warning.
According to reports this morning, the public health body told Health Minister Stephen Donnelly in a letter, that the highest Lockdown level should be introduced in a desperate bid to curve the current spike.
But in this letter, NPHET is said to have recommended that schools remain open according to The Irish Daily Mail.
It also noted that it would reconsider the Level's strictness on the elderly with over 70s currently being asked to cocoon at this level.
