Public warned to keep contacts low as Ireland faces a critical eight-week period in Covid-19 battle

Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, presented modelling figures which showed if the reproductive number increased to 1.3, there would be about 1,000 cases a day into May, June and early July. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Any significant increase in social contacts over the next four to eight weeks is "highly likely" to result in a fourth wave of Covid-19, a leading expert has said.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Professor Philip Nolan, chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group, said the situation was very "static" and has not changed in recent weeks.