Growth of Delta variant in Ireland not 'massively concerning' 

A study released earlier this week by Public Health England showed two doses of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines provide strong protection against the Delta variant. 

There are now 139 cases of the Delta variant in Ireland, up from 126 last week, according to the National Virus Reference Laboratory.

This variant — B.167.2 — originated in India and is one of four variants of concern (VOC) being watched by health authorities in Ireland and elsewhere.