LATEST: Schools to reopen as planned as 21,302 new cases of virus confirmed

A further 21,302 people have contracted Covid-19, the Department of Heath confirmed this evening.

And there are now 884 patients being treated for the virus in hospital, an increase of 80 on yesterday. Of these, 90 are being treated in ICU, a drop of three.

The latest cases come as three Coalition leaders today agreed that schools will return as planned on Thursday.

At a meeting today, Taoiseach Michéal Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Eamon Ryan were told that public health advice remains that schools are safe.