For many in Kerry it will be a very difficult Christmas as rising COVID-19 cases has led to many families being forced to self-isolate for 14 days for the Christmas period.
Much of the recent rise in cases in Kerry which have now topped more than 130 cases since last week Tuesday, have been linked to schools in the county with the largest outbreak in Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin, which was officially closed a week earlier by the Department.
Most schools across the county close today (Tuesday) for Christmas holidays but in the past week many have kept children home from school in light of fears about the spread of the virus. In Killorglin dozens of families have been affected by the outbreak but it has also hit other parts of he county as well including Tralee where Presentation Primary sent home a junior infants class early last week following a confirmed case in the school. There has been confirmed cases in almost all of Tralee s schools. Letters were sent to families and children i
With just over a week to go to Christmas, Kerry has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases with 19 reported in the county on Monday and a further eight on Tuesday evening.
While this increase came following days of zero cases - or at least very low numbers - the sharp rise has raised concerns across the county.
Much of this surge is linked to outbreaks of the deadly virus in primary schools, with one of the largest outbreaks at Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin where at least 15 positive tests have been notified in one classroom.
The cases at the mid Kerry school are confined to one class and all public health guidelines have been followed.