177,000 Covid-19 tests carried out nationwide last week

70,000 people under the age of 18 were tested for Covid-19 last week.

A total of 177,000 tests were carried out - with between 19,000 and 31,000 every day.

Almost 40 per cent were carried out on children, but the HSE says the positivity rate was particularly low among under-14s.

National lead for testing and tracing, Niamh O'Beirne, says the demand has increased recently.