Concern has been expressed that Ireland is now in a phase of "rapid" COVID-19 growth, which if allowed to continue, will result in up to 1,200 cases of the virus per day by the second week of January.

According to Prof Philip Nolan, chair of NPHETS's Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, the reproduction number of the virus is now estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.3.

"We are particularly concerned about older people and vulnerable adults, who have protected themselves through the second wave, and are now at risk during the festive season," he commented.

This point was also highlighted by Dr Deirdre Mulholland, director of public health with the HSE East. She warned that intergenerational mixing over the Christmas period, especially during a period of rapidly increasing incidence, "poses a significant risk to older and vulnerable people".

"It is so important to reduce your contacts and follow public health advice now, in order to protect lives," she said.

According to the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, the five-day moving average of virus cases is now 387 per day.

"This is an indicator that the disease is moving quickly when compared to the previous five-day average. The virus is spreading throughout the country, in all age groups. We are now getting reports of outbreaks in social settings including workplace settings, Christmas parties and funerals," he said.

He urged people to limit their interactions now and warned that the consequences of not doing this will be "exponential growth in January, a substantial increase in hospitalisations and risk to life".

A further 484 cases of the virus were confirmed on Thursday evening, bringing the total number of cases in the Republic to 77,678. Three more deaths were also announced, brining the total number of deaths here to 2,143.

Of the 484 cases announced on Thursday, 150 occurred in Dublin, 45 in Wexford, 40 in Cork, 32 in Donegal and 29 in Limerick.

From today (December 18), people can travel outside of their counties and up to three families can meet indoors. These rules were to remain in place until January 6, to allow families to meet up over the Christmas period. However, NPHET has advised that restrictions be tightened before the end of December, including the closure of hospitality again.

The Government is due to meet on Tuesday to consider NPHET's latest advice.

For more information on the restrictions currently in place, click here.