6,307 cases of Covid-19 confirmed as Omicron to pose ‘significant challenge’ to health system

There have been a total of 5,890 deaths related to the virus in Ireland. This includes 55 deaths newly notified in the past week.

A further 6,307 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed as the HSE chief warns the health service is already under significant pressure and is facing an uncertain few weeks.

The arrival of the Omicron variant will pose a “significant challenge” to an already stretched health system, Paul Reid told a briefing on Wednesday.