The Minister for Health has said that the reproduction rate at which Covid-19 is transmitted has now dropped to below 1 to between 0.7 and 0.9.
Speaking at the Health Committee, Stephen Donnelly said that the decision to move to Level 5 two weeks ago was made due to evidence showing the rapid increase in case numbers.
Mr Donnelly also told the committee that there were positive signs in recent days in relation to the number of Covid-19 cases.
He acknowledged that it has been a very difficult year for everyone in Ireland and right across the world.
Mr Donnelly said that the 14-day incidence rate is now 228 cases per 100,000 compared to 278 in the previous 14-day period.
He also said the virus rate is falling in 23 of the 26 counties.
Mr Donnelly said the average number of close contacts has fallen from six to around three and the testing positivity rate has fallen to 4.7%.
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The minister said that by moving early and comprehensively, Ireland is currently "bucking the trend" being seen in many other parts of Europe.
However, he warned that while the figures are hopeful, he said the number of positive cases remain a serious concern.
Mr Donnelly said that there has been almost 11,000 cases reported in the past 14 days and he said we must continue to actively suppress this virus.
On testing, the minister said that Ireland's testing rates are highest by international standards.
He said that the HSE initially put in place capacity to meet NPHET’s advice for up to 100,000 tests per week and that recently increased to up to 120,000 tests per week.
Mr Donnelly also told committee members that demand for testing is down by at least 40% in the past week.
