Covid-19: UK variant confirmed in Ireland as two further deaths, 1,025 new cases reported 

Dr Tony Holohan: "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." File Picture: Brian Lawless/ PA

Two further deaths from Covid-19 have been confirmed this afternoon by the Department of Health.

The newest figures bring the total number of Covid-19 related deaths here to 2,194.