The number of Covid-19 outbreaks in private houses increased by 391 last week, taking the total to 2,463. It compares to an increase of 61 the previous week.
New figures, published today by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, also show that there were an additional 11 outbreaks involving extended families.
It takes the number that has occurred to 80. The HPSC report, which covers the week up to last Saturday, also shows that the number of outbreaks in schools rose by 11, up to 23.
The HPSC said, "the outbreaks are associated with school children and or school staff" but it said the "transmission of Covid-19 within the school has not necessarily been established".