1,413 new cases as number of children aged five to 12 tested for Covid quadruples

The Nphet meeting also discussed advice from the Health Information Quality Authority (Hiqa) around mask-wearing in primary schools. It was decided to continue to advise against this for under-13s.

Health officials have confirmed that 1,413 new cases of Covid-19 have been recorded today as a senior health official said the number of children aged five to 12 tested for the virus has quadrupled in the last three weeks.

It comes as Nphet gave the go-ahead for restrictions to ease on Monday as planned.