3,793 new cases confirmed as first case of Omicron variant identified in Ireland

There has been a very rapid increase in testing across all child age groups under 18, particularly in the 5-12 grouping, and also in the 35-44 age group.

A further 3,793 cases of Covid have been confirmed as earlier today the first case of the newest variant of concern, dubbed Omicron, has been identified in Ireland.

At present, there are 578 people in hospital being treated for the virus, of these 117 are in ICU - five fewer than yesterday.