Health officials have reported an additional 1,025 cases of Covid-19, with 2 further deaths.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has also confirmed that the new UK variant of the virus has been detected in Ireland.
He has urged people who arrive from the UK to strictly self isolate for 14 days, which means no interaction with others at all.
Meanwhile the HSE is currently making arrangements to test arrivals from the UK.
He has urged people who arrive from the UK to strictly self isolate for 14 days, which means no interaction with others at all.
Further testing over the weekend will measure the extent of the outbreak with the new mutation here.— Tom Douglas (@TomDouglas95) December 25, 2020
Dr. Holohan said: “I can confirm that we have detected the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 by whole genome sequencing at the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD.”
“Further testing in the coming days and weeks will establish the extent to which it is present here."
"In the meantime, it is vitally important that we each stay at home, avoid social contact and avoid all forms of non-essential travel.”
“It is particularly important that those who have arrived from the UK strictly self-isolate for a full 14 days following arrival."
"They should not interact with others, visit others, socialise or go shopping."
"The HSE is making arrangements to test recent arrivals from the UK."
Full details on that advice can be found at hse.ie.
