People who are deemed to be close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases will no longer be offered a COVID test as standard, however this is a temporary measure, the HSE has said.

Previously, all close contacts of confirmed cases were tested for the virus. However, the testing system is under such pressure due to a recent surge in cases, that the HSE has taken the decision not to test all close contacts anymore.

"In a continuing effort to maintain effective turnaround times for testing and contact tracing, the HSE will not be referring close contacts for a test from December 31. This step is being taken to ensure that those who are symptomatic are prioritised and receive a test as quickly as possible," the HSE said.

In the last week, the testing service has been "in peak escalation" and on one day alone (December 30), over 26,000 swabs were processed, over 2,300 calls were made to people to confirm that COVID-19 had been detected, and almost 11,000 calls were made to close contacts.

Close contacts will receive a text message stating that they are a close contact, and advising them to restrict their movements for 14 days.

"We are asking all close contacts to restrict their movements. This is the strongest defence we have against the spread of this virus. If you show any symptoms, please call your GP or GP out-of-hours service immediately and they will refer you for a test if required," explained the HSE's chief clinical officer, Dr Colm Henry.

He pointed out that GPs and out-of-hours services will be very busy and he asked people to be patient during this challenging time.

"We are asking that the public support this measure fully and follow all public health advice so that we can all keep our friends and family safe," Dr Henry added.

The HSE is calling on everyone to stay at home and to "effectively act like they have COVID-19".

According to the Department of Health's chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, testing and tracing is an "exercise in containment, but we are no longer in a containment phase".

"We are once again in the mitigation stage of this pandemic. The alarming escalation in the incidence of the virus in the general population gives great cause for concern. This disease is now widespread in our communities," he explained.

He noted that the average number of contacts per case has risen from 2.5 in November to an average of 6.3 in recent days.

"This is very far from where we need to be and I am appealing to everyone at every age to adhere to the mandated restrictions that the Government has introduced - stay at home except for essential reasons, other than for exercise up to 5km from your home," Dr Holohan said.

However, according to the department's deputy chief medical officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, "while we are currently in a very serious situation, we are not powerless against COVID-19".

"The best tool we have right now is each other. We have shown on multiple occasions that we can act collectively to break chains of transmission, reduce the intensity of this epidemic and slow down the increase in cases.

"As we look to the New Year, we remember the people who have sadly died with COVID-19 in Ireland in 2020, along with all of their families and loved ones who are grieving their loss. Let's do all we can to ensure that as few families as possible are similarly impacted in 2021," he said.

Ireland is currently at level 5 of the Government's COVID plan. For more information on this, click here.