12,000 children already taken from school over close contact fears - as testing nears capacity

Despite the high numbers, there is still no evidence of classroom outbreaks

Head of testing and tracing at the HSE Niamh O'Beirne. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Eilish O'Regan

Around 12,000 children are already at home from school restricting their movements after being identified as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 .

The extent of the disruption already caused by Covid-19 among school pupils emerged yesterday, although there is still no evidence of classroom outbreaks.