The reproductive rate of the coronavirus has dropped to between 0.7 and 0.9.
The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has told the Oireachtas Health Committee that level five restrictions have helped the 14-day incidence rate of the virus fall to 228 cases per 100,000 population.
However, he said he is seriously concerned about the recent number of positive tests - with almost 11,000 reported over the past two weeks.
Minister Donnelly said the health service has also significantly expanded its testing capacity.
"Capacity was increased recently from 100,000 tests a week to being able to do up to 120,000 tests per week.
"And I'm delighted to be able to share with the committee this morning for the first time, that the HSE has now confirmd to me that they can do up to 140,000 tests per week.
"And I really just want to give the men and women working in the HSE great credit for this - they're working night and day".
The positivity rate of the tests over the past week has decreased further to 4.7% - below the 5% benchmark which the World Health Organisation says shows the spread of the disease is out of the control.
It comes as the number of people in hospital with the virus has increased again to 315.
However the numbers have remained relatively stable over the past two weeks.
While there are 41 people in an ICU - which is a fall for the second day in a row.
The national 14-day incidence rate has continued to decrease, and has seen a fall of 25% since its peak on October 25th.
Leitrim still has a rate of less than 100 - the lowest in the country.
While the number of new cases of the virus hit a five-week low on Tuesday, at 322, alongside five further deaths.
It is the lowest figure announced since September 26th.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said it is now crucial we keep the virus on a downward trend in the coming weeks.
"Due to the efforts of people across Ireland, we are seeing improvements with COVID-19".
"However, we must remember that maintaining this downward trend is now the most crucial thing.
"The value of our progress depends on continuing the safe behaviour that got us to this position. I urge everyone to keep it up, to ensure these initial trends continue."
