Dr Ronan Glynn is very hopeful that if the Irish public continues to ensure that close contacts for cases remain steady, the country can suppress the spread of the virus.
Earlier this evening, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported 7 additional deaths related to Covid-19 and 400 new cases.
Speaking tonight, Dr Glynn said that there has been a decrease in the number of cases per day and per week in the last week-two weeks.
"It's amazing to look at the fact that since the middle to end of February, close contacts for cases has not increased at all and given the length of time that we've been dealing with it, that really is positive.
"More than any other measure we have, first of all, more than any other measure, it's the most sensitive indicator we have of what's going to happen with the disease over time.
"And so I suppose it's just to reflect the fact that from our perspective, it really shows that despite high profile incidents and high profile cases where people have not complied with the guidance it shows, again and again, the vast majority of people are still sticking with this, even though they can't wait to be done with it, they're sticking with it," he said.
At present, Ireland's R number is "very close to" or "just below" 1.
Health authorities estimated that the figure lies between 0.7-1.1. which is "a positive position to be in" according to Dr Nolan.
However, despite this positive progress on the number of cases, the Deputy CMO added that there is some uncertainty due to the Easter weekend.
"We welcome any week where we see a reduction in case numbers and pretty much all of the indicators that we're looking at, if it was a normal week, it would be very, very positive sitting here in terms of what we're seeing. Unfortunately, it's not a normal week.
"So we do need to see what referral patterns look like, especially next week. Whether there are particular changes in mobility, increases in close contacts next week as children are back to school etc. Will there be a wider effect in society? So yes, right now sitting here just looking at the data, it looks like it's all going in the right direction.
"But I think, unfortunately, we need to give it another week. If there is to be an increase in incidence as a result of close contacts over the Easter period, the likelihood is that people who will have become infected last weekend will only start to become symptomatic from tomorrow and through this weekend.
"I suppose it's a message to anyone that if you do develop any suspicious symptoms this weekend, please isolate, please contact your GP and come forward for a test. We have significant testing capacity. You know, we would really encourage anyone who has any concerns to come forward, don't wait and see," he said.
