A GP is calling on parents to stop sending their children to creches if they have Covid-like symptoms.
It comes as new figures show there's been a 26% increase in cases of the virus among children recently.
Nearly 2,200 children tested positive in the two-week period that ended on Monday - compared to just over 1,700 in the previous fortnight.
Dr Ray Walley, a GP advisor to the HSE on Covid, says extra precautions are needed.
"We also have found that children who may have mild symptoms or upper respiratory tract infections, such as a sore throat, are going into their creches. That's got to stop.
"If you have a child and there's any query of illness, you need to contact your general practitioner immediately."
