There were 391 new outbreaks of Covid-19 in private homes last week.
The previous week, there was an increase of just 61, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
There have now been 2,463 outbreaks in private houses since the pandemic began.
Meanwhile all four nations of the UK have tightened coronavirus restrictions.
The changes include a 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Scottish First Minister has also announced a ban on visiting other people at home.
In a TV address to the nation last night, Nicola Sturgeon has warned it will be impossible to get back to normality without a vaccine.
