LATEST: 1,293 new cases of virus confirmed as schools reopen

A further 1,293 people have contracted the coronavirus, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.

There are now 382 people in hospital who have tested positive for the disease, a rise of 35 since yesterday. Of these, 61 are in intensive care, an increase of one overnight.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said today: “As many children return to classrooms across the country today, it is important to highlight to both children and their parents that considerable preparations have been made across the country to reopen schools safely.

“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.”