Jump in Covid-19 outbreaks at Irish schools as dozens of children test positive

New figures released from the HSE show a significant jump in Covid-19 outbreaks in Irish schools across the country.

There were fifteen outbreaks reported last week in comparison to the previous week, which saw three outbreaks.

The outbreaks led to 80 linked cases, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

The week previous to last week saw 15 cases confirmed from the three outbreaks.

The outbreaks originated in six primary schools, seven special education schools, one in a post-primary school and one in a non-specified school.

Clodagh Mai Kelly 5 from Clondalkin brushes up on her studies during 1st day at school in Gaelscoil on the Nangor Road Clondalkin , Dublin. (Collins Photo Agency)

Five of the outbreaks were reported in the HSE Mid West area and three in the North West, two from the South and the Midlands with one in the East, one in the West and one in the North East.

These figures are likely to include the 34 cases confirmed in a CBS school in Co. Wexford that made the decision to close in-person teaching but reopened the following day for those who wished to attend.

Ten outbreaks were reported in a childcare facility with 30 confirmed linked cases.

Other outbreaks were recorded in the following settings:

· Eleven new nursing home outbreaks were reported, with 108 confirmed linked cases

· Two new community hospital/long-term care facility outbreak were reported with 16 confirmed linked cases

· There were thirteen new acute hospital outbreaks reported with 86 confirmed linked cases

· There were ten new residential institution outbreaks reported with 50 confirmed linked cases all ten outbreaks were in centres for disabilities

· There were 12 outbreaks in other healthcare services with 51 confirmed linked cases

· Thirty-four workplace outbreaks were reported with 120 confirmed linked cases; including seven in other food production and processing, three in the construction sector, one in meat/poultry production and processing, 20 in other workplace types (including office, commercial, manufacturing, defence/justice/emergency services) and three in ‘not specified/unknown/other’ workplaces

· There were three restaurant/café associated outbreaks with ten confirmed linked cases

· There were four outbreaks related to retail outlets with ten confirmed linked cases

· There were two new public house outbreaks with 11 confirmed linked cases

· The remaining 83 outbreaks were across other locations: private houses