A further 1,293 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning there were 382 people in Ireland hospitalised with COVID. The number in the ICU stands at 61 patients.
Dr Tony Holohan emphasised that great sacrifices had been made to allow schools to reopen safely.
However, he struck a positive note that, from experience last year, school itself had not been a major source of transmission among children.
“Our data clearly shows that, to date, the school environment was not a major source of disease transmission.”
“In order to go back to school as safely as possible, my advice to children is to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly and follow the protocols operating in your school.”
