The number of schools hit with at least one case of Covid infection took a significant jump last week. Public health teams conducted mass testing in 183 schools, up 70pc on 108 the week before, according to the latest data from the HSE. There was a doubling, from 35 to 71, in the number of childcare facilities where mass testing of Covid was carried out. In schools, 4,062 people were tested – which was more than double the 1,842 of the previous week. While the positivity rate in schools rose slightly in the week, to 2.7pc , it remains below the infection rate in the community.

Source: Irish Independent March 23, 2021 17:22 UTC