Health Correspondent The total number of Covid-19 outbreaks reduced last week, according to new figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. There were 196 outbreaks reported, compared with 265 the previous week. The biggest reduction was seen in private houses, which fell by more than half to 36. But there was an increase in extended family outbreaks from 13 the previous week, to 21 last week. There was a small rise in retail outlet outbreaks to four, compared with two the previous week. Workplace outbreaks reduced to 29, compared with 36 the previous week. The data is for the week to Saturday 30 January, during which the HSE resumed contact tracing of close contacts.