Nphet feared country was entering third Covid wave in December

Dr Tony Holohan: Nphet was afraid the country was already at the beginning of a third wave of Covid-19 on December 17, it has emerged. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

The National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) was afraid the country was already at the beginning of a third wave of Covid-19 on December 17, it has emerged in Nphet minutes.

At that point, people were telling GPs they didn't want to get tested for coronavirus "due to the impact it would have on their Christmas plans".