The HSE says the next 7 to 10 days are crucial in the fight against the virus.
COVID-19 has now infected more than 245,000 people and killed over 10,000 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking cases reported by the World Health Organization and additional sources.
The number of dead in Italy has now gone past the total recorded in China.
More than 3,400 people have lost their lives to the virus in the country, compared to 3,200 people in China.
Over 40,000 people are currently infected with COVID-19 in Italy.
Dr Roberto Cosentini is working in the Italian system and said the number of cases is overwhelming.
''Everyday we see 50 to 60 patients comes to our emergency department in the morning, he said.
''Most of them are so severe they needs very levels of oxygen.''
In Ireland, the HSE says the next 7 to 10 days are crucial in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.
More restrictions may be necessary if the rise in the number of cases in Ireland doesn't start to level off.
There are now 557 cases in Ireland, after 191 new ones were confirmed last night, along with a third death.
