Ireland is now 'clearly' in the grips of a third wave of Covid-19, according to the country's top modelling expert on the virus.
Professor Philip Nolan, a key figure on the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), warned that "very rapidly rising case numbers" mean Ireland has now definitively tipped into a another wave of coronavirus.
And he said the growth rate is of "really grave concern", after the five-day moving average more than doubled over the last week.
Professor Nolan's comments come after NPHET reported 727 new cases on Monday.
He said that if current trends continue, Ireland could be at 1,300 cases per day by January 6.
The latest figures come as the Government grapples with the decision of how and when to reintroduce restrictions.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said: "To the extent that it is possible to really limit your interactions with other people, I think has to be the responsible advice now that we give.
"The most responsible thing that you could do now is stay at home – stay at home with the people that you live with.
"Try and limit your social contacts with other people as much as possible. Have as safe a Christmas as possible."
He also repeated his advice to people about visiting pubs and restaurants, urging the public to stay away despite the fact that Government guidelines allows people to go out.
His remarks sparked a spat with the hospitality sector, with a lobby group accusing the Chief Medical Officer of stepping "beyond the line."
Hospitality chief Adrian Cummins told the Irish Mirror: “I think he has stepped beyond the line.
"I think the CMO has a track record of now speaking out without getting government approval and I think the government needs to take control of this."
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