NPHET has formally recommended Dublin be moved to a Level Three Covid alert.
The medical experts have come to the conclusion that the soaring rates in Dublin set the Capital aside from the rest of the country.
And extra restrictions have now been advised to try and stop the rampant spread of the virus.
Infection rates in Dublin are running at over 100 per 100,000 in many areas, compared to rates of 3 in rural areas like Sligo and 9 in urban areas of Cork.
The new NPHET overnight group of senior civil servants will meet tonight to consider the impact of the advice on the economy and the rest of society - as well as on public health.
The next step will see the special Cabinet Covid sub-committee meet tomorrow morning.
This is the elite group of ministers including the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar and Green leader, Eamon Ryan.
If they believe the recommendation from NPHET requires the serious escalation to Level Three for Dublin, a full Cabinet meeting will be called for tomorrow afternoon to sign off.
