LATEST: Fears full reopening will be delayed as over 1,600 more cases of virus confirmed

A further 1,627 more people have contracted the coronaviruvs, the Department of Health confirmed this evening.

The worring rise in cases in recent days has sparked fears that the planned full reopening of the country next week will be deferred.

The Department of Health this evening confirmed there are now 415 people with the virus in hospital, an increase of seven since yesterday. The number of patients in intensive care is up one at 70.

Meanwhile, the overall number of Covid-19 outbreaks reduced in the week to last Saturday, new figures show.

There were 174 outbreaks, compared with 203 the previous week. An outbreak is two or more linked cases.