LATEST: Over 5,000 new cases of virus as Goverment confirms facemasks for pupils from 3rd class up

A futher 5,471 people have contracted the coronavirus, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.

And the number of people being treated in hospital for the virus now stands at 579, unchanged from yesterday. Of these, the number being treated in intensive care has risen by seven to 122.

The latest cases come as the Government confirmed primary pupils from third class up will be required to wear face masks until February.

The Department of Education will issue guidelines to schools later this evening, which will also include what exemptions will apply.

The new rule, which was recommended by Nphet last week, is to take effect immediately, to be reviewed again in February.

Meanwhile, it was earlier confirmed there has been a further nine positive Covid-19 infections among the Munster rugby team’s touring party in South Africa, further delaying their return to Ireland.

The nine new positive cases, which are a mix of players and support staff, will now move to a designated quarantine hotel in Cape Town, joining another squad member who tested positive on Sunday.

The remaining 38 members of the group who returned negative PCR tests will now need to pass a further test before they are cleared to travel to Ireland.

The province say the touring party are continuing to isolate in individual rooms in their Cape Town hotel.