Three schools in Co Clare closed today after four people from the same family tested positive for the coronavirus.
The family had recently returned from Northern Italy and brings to six the number of confirmed cases here.
One primary school and a secondary school in Clare informed parents by text that they are to close for 14 days after a pupil in each school tested positive for the virus.
Efforts are now underway to trace anyone the family may have been in contact with.
The two males and two females are the first cluster reported in the Republic of Ireland.
The HSE expects the virus to spread within communities in the next few weeks.
Over 5 thousand calls have been made to a HSE helpline in the last number of days from people worried about coronavirus.
They're advising people not to panic, but to do all they can to try and stop the spread.
