Covid-19 outbreaks in family homes, private houses, schools and crèches rose last week, according to new figures. Meanwhile, there were 16 outbreaks in childcare facilities in the week, double the number of the week before. They follow the same pattern as the data for mass testing in schools in the week up to March 20. Public health teams conducted mass testing in 183 schools last week, up 70pc on 108 the week before, according to the latest data published by the HSE . Last week there were two new outbreaks in nursing homes and no new outbreaks in community hospital or long stay units.

Source: Irish Independent March 24, 2021 12:24 UTC