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There has been a marked drop in the number of Covid-19 outbreaks recorded in schools, according to the latest data from the Center for Health Protection Surveillance.
10 groups were identified in schools last week, compared to 21 the previous week, and 30 and 46 in the previous two weeks.
These latest 10 outbreaks bring to 187 the total number of virus clusters in schools notified to the Center for Health Protection Surveillance since the facilities reopened in September.
The HSPC says that while these outbreaks have involved schoolchildren and school personnel, transmission of the virus within the school “has not necessarily been established.”
The number of Covid outbreaks identified in homes has more than doubled in the space of a week, according to HPSC data.
The data shows that 954 clusters were notified last week regarding private homes. This compares with 443 outbreaks in households during the previous week.
A cluster, or outbreak, is when two or more cases of the virus are discovered.
High school buses run above recommended capacity
Half of the high school buses nationwide continue to operate above the recommended capacity rate of 50%.
The Department of Education has confirmed that only 51% of buses are operating with social distancing, three months after the school year.
More than 2,500 routes are being re-evaluated by Bus Éireann in an effort to comply with the latest public health councils with the goal of implementing the measures in all services before the end of the year.
To achieve this, the state service is in the midst of hiring 1,600 additional drivers, a 30% increase on the existing network.
In September, the Government agreed to provide the necessary funding of up to 135 million euros to expand the network and ensure the implementation of public health guidelines.
Buses for primary school children are not limited to 50% capacity.
Additional reporting Amy Ní Riaida
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