Further restrictions are due to be lifted tomorrow.
Former HSE director-general, Tony O'Brien, is calling for the planned easing of restrictions for the Christmas period to be reviewed.
His comments comes as NPHET meets this morning amid growing concern at the spread of the virus.
Chief medical officer, Tony Holohan, says the country's going in the 'wrong direction', with 431 cases confirmed yesterday.
Further restrictions are due to be lifted tomorrow, which would allow nationwide travel and three households to mix.
But Mr. O'Brien says that plan should not go ahead.
''If we were to be judged coming out of level 5 on the current numbers, we probably wouldn't have come out of it'', he said.
''So it doesn't seem like this is a good time to move from the present status which is level three, into much more open travel and much more open congregation.
''I think it would be sending entirely the wrong signal and consequently there would be a significant price to pay if we just carry in as though the current problems aren't there''.
The estimated 14 day incidence rate now stands at 87 per 100 thousand and the 5-day average is 339 cases.
