LATEST: Kilkenny among 1,167 new cases of virus as three further deaths confirmed, sharp rise in outbreaks in our schools

A futher three more people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 1,167 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

It brings the overall death toll from the virus to 1,868. There are now 53,422 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The breakdown of the latest cases is as follows: 263 are in Dublin, 142 in Meath, 137 in Cork, 86 in Cavan, with the remaining 539 cases are spread across all remaining counties.

Meanwhile, separate figures published today reveal there has also been a sharp rise in the number of outbreaks of the virus in our schools.

There were 46 outbreaks detected in primary and secondary schools last week, according to figures published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show. This compares to 25 recorded the previous week – and just 12 in week before that.

The total number of Covid-19 outbreaks in schools so far is 118.

In a statement the Health Service Executive (HSE) acknowledged that the public health sector needs to react quicker in dealing with outbreaks in schools.

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