The HSE says contact tracers faced an unprecedented number of newly infected people and weren't able to keep up with the demand for contact tracing from Friday until Sunday last weekend.
Those who tested positive over the weekend are to get a text message which will ask them to tell their close contacts to phone their GP. The Irish Times reports a decision was made not to get in touch with those who tested positive for their close contacts as it would've just led to delay.
The papers says people over the age of 70, and schoolchildren are among the people who are affected by the backlog.
Its feared there may be up to 8,000 close contacts affected.
Opposition leaders say they are 'shocked' and 'surprised' that the Taoiseach Michael Martin was only informed of pressures on the contact tracing system by reading a news article last night.
Health Minister Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly also only found out last night and says the decision was a temporary measure.
