Covid 'running rife' in communities

Some 250,000 PCR tests were carried out over the past week

The Department of Health has been notified of 9,006 new cases of Covid-19.

The update comes as the Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive. Paul Reid, said said this morning that that Covid-19 was “absolutely running rife” in communities across Ireland.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Reid said there had been an “unparalleled level” of testing volumes coming forward, with one in two persons being swabbed now testing positive for the virus.

“If you think that you have Covid, it's most likely that you have it,” he said.

Some 250,000 PCR tests were carried out over the past week, with most people getting a same day or next day test.

The Department of Health yesterday confirmed 6,735 new cases of Covid-19.