Covid-19: 24 additional cases of Omicron variant detected 

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that the Omicron variant accounts for approximately 13% of all reported cases. Pic: Gareth Chaney /Collins Photos

A further 4,235 cases of Covid-19 have today been confirmed with 47 deaths newly notified within the past week.

The Department of Health has confirmed that 24 additional cases of the Omicron variant have also been detected.

As of 8am today, 470 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, down 23 since yesterday while 105 patients are now in ICU.

There has now been a total of 5,835 deaths related to Covid-19 notified in Ireland including 47 deaths newly notified in the past week.

With ten days to Christmas, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan reminded people that if they contract Covid-19 today, their isolation period will include Christmas Day.

Dr Holohan said that the Omicron variant accounts for approximately 13% of all reported cases.

“This can be avoided by ensuring you take every step possible to protect yourself,” he said.

“If you are planning to spend Christmas with older family members, anyone immunocompromised or vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19, it is best that you take precautions from today.” 

He advised to avoid crowds, limit contacts, work from home unless absolutely necessary, risk assess environments and make safe choices over the coming days and weeks.

Everyone should be aware that Omicron spreads very easily and we have now identified community transmission in Ireland, to the extent that this variant accounts for approximately 13% of all reported cases.

“Taking the opportunity to get a booster dose of vaccination is as vital today as getting the first dose was earlier this year. You will begin to receive the benefit of your booster protection within seven days of receiving your third dose.”

There is a "very high" risk that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 will become dominant in Europe early next year and lead to a growing number of severe infections, the European Union's public health body has said.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said in a report that the Omicron variant of concern (VOC) is likely to take over from Delta as the dominant variant within the first two months of 2022.

ECDC said data was not yet sufficient to assess the severity of disease caused by the Omicron variant. 

However, even if the severity of Covid-19 it caused was equal to or lower than that caused by Delta, the increased transmissibility would outweigh any benefits.

"It is therefore considered very likely that the Omicron VOC will cause additional hospitalisations and fatalities, in addition to those already expected in previous forecasts that only take into account the Delta VOC," ECDC said.