The widespread uncontrolled community transmission of Covid-19 represents "the greatest threat to our healthcare services," according to the Health Service Executive's Chief Clinical Officer.
Dr Colm Henry said if we do nothing, it will lead to hospitalisations and intensive care admissions that no healthcare system could deal with.
Yesterday, Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid said there is a "concerning growth" in the number of people being admitted to hospital for treatment for Covid-19.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Henry also warned that it would also be difficult to keep schools open with the rate the virus is spreading.