LATEST: 1,292 new cases of virus and outbreaks in dozen schools

A further 1,292 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

And there are now 331 people being treated for the virus in hospital, four down on yesterday, according to the Department of Health’s latest daily briefing. The number of people in intensive care units is 54, down two on yesterday

The figures follow latest statistics published today by the Health Protection Surveillance Sector (HPSC), which show a further 126 outbreaks of the virus – in settings where two or more related cases have been confirmed – were reported in the week until last Saturday.

Of these, 11 were in primary schools and one in a secondary school. A further 22 were confirmed in childcare settings, while 21 occurred in workplaces. A total of 16 outbreaks were linked to private homes.