Covid testing carried out in 108 schools last week

Covid testing was carried out in 108 schools of the country’s 4,000 schools in the second week since the mass return of pupils.

It was up from 34 the previous week when primary pupils from junior infants to second class and Leaving Cert students were back for the first time since Christmas.

Latest figures from the HSE show that public health teams conducted mass testing after at least one case of infection was confirmed in 65 primary 37 post primary and six special schools.

Weekly data for Covid outbreaks in schools – where at least two cases are confirmed – shows there were eight in schools last week, up from zero the week before, according to the latest bulletin from the Health Protection Surveillance centre (HPSC).

The most recent HSE figures on mass testing in schools is for the seven days ending Saturday March 13.

In all 1,842 people were tested arising from a confirmed school case with a positivity rate of 2.4pc (44 cases). It was higher than the previous week, but lower than the community average of 3.8pc.

From Monday (March 15) all primary pupils were back at school , while fifth year students also returned, and the figures are expected to rise.

Childcare facilities continue to show much higher Covid incidence rates, which is attributed to challenges associated with ensuring younger children adhere to the rules.

There were eight outbreaks associated with childcare facilities.

Meanwhile, there was one outbreak last week in the university/college/third-level student category, which may have occurred in other locations, such as private houses or social gatherings rather than a university/college location.

Where two or more cases occur in a setting, it does not necessarily mean that transmission has happened in that location

Even with the more transmissible variant circulating since Christmas, public health chiefs insist that school are safe once the public health rules are strictly observed.

The decision to stagger the return to school and childcare was aimed at limiting the number of people moving around on a daily basis.

Online Editors