The more infectious UK variant of Covid-19 now accounts for two-thirds of cases, amid little hope of any significant easing of restrictions early next month.
Asked what might happen on March 5, Prof Nolan said there would still be a very high level of disease and it will be necessary to ensure cases continue to fall.
He was speaking as another 75 Covid-19 related deaths were reported yesterday, with the youngest victim aged 34 and the oldest 100.
Another 1,318 new cases of the virus were diagnosed, breaching the 200,000 level to hit 200,744 so far.
Prof Nolan said the next few weeks will be difficult, “and as we bring the daily case levels below 1,000 a day, our progress will seem to slow down”.
“It is now more important than ever that we continue our efforts to bring case numbers down towards the very low levels we achieved in June and July,” he said.
The more infectious UK variant of Covid-19 now accounts for two-thirds of cases, amid little hope of any significant easing of restrictions early next month.
When Ms McDonald was asked on Newstalk’s
The Hard Shoulder if she believes Mr Holohan should apologise, she said: “I do, and I can’t understand why he didn’t.
She added she understands when being pressed in a media situation it can be difficult as you don’t want “words put in your mouth”, but said there can “never be enough apologies” made to these women.
“I personally think it is the right thing to say sorry and to offer an apology and I think it would be extremely well received by many of the women and the families affected,” the Sinn Féin leader said.