Delta variant concern: HSE chief warns of 'dark days' of January 

HSE chief executive Paul Reid described the rise of the Delta variant as a worrying trend – a fifth of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland are the Delta variant, which was first identified in India. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

The head of the HSE has reminded the Government of the "dark days" of January amid growing concern the Delta variant of Covid-19 will sweep across the country if society opens too quickly.

HSE chief executive Paul Reid described the rise of the Delta variant as a worrying trend – a fifth of new Covid-19 cases in Ireland are the Delta variant, which was first identified in India.