The latest report from the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre has revealed over 200 outbreaks in Ireland over the past week.
Among them, 22 were found in workplaces across Ireland as many return to the office, and resulted in 91 cases of the virus being detected.
This included six in the construction sector, one in meat/poultry production and processing, one in other food production and processing, nine in other workplace types (including office, commercial, manufacturing, defence/justice/emergency services) and five were not specified.
Ten outbreaks were reported in schools in the same period, and as a result of these clusters, there were 45 linked cases.
There were also two outbreaks in third level education that resulted in nine linked cases this week.
Among the other outbreaks reported were;
- seven new nursing home outbreaks, with 19 confirmed linked cases
- two new community hospital/long-term care facility clusters, reported with 11 confirmed linked cases
- six new acute hospital outbreaks reported with 29 confirmed linked cases
- 14 new residential institution outbreaks reported with 56 confirmed linked cases
- two religious/other ceremony associated outbreaks with 11 confirmed linked cases
- six outbreaks related to retail outlets with 24 confirmed linked cases
Meanwhile, today health officials have reported 1,207 new cases in Ireland over the last 24 hours.
Since 8 am on Thursday, 355 people are in hospitals across the country being treated for severe side effects of the virus - 69 of which are in the ICU.
The latest numbers bring Ireland five-day moving average to 1,052.
As the number of cases remains high, an Taoiseach Micheál Martin has hinted that there may some rules associated with specific areas of the upcoming reopening, particularly in the case of nightclubs.
Although we remain on track for the full reopening, Mr Martin has said another announcement will be made before the big day, to lay out some ground rules for the widespread easing.
He said: “We’ll look at the issue of vaccination on that but we’ll make a further announcement closer to the 20th.”
