Omicron variant a 'different threat' and case numbers will go up, says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin says he expects today's Covid-19 figures to be "very high in comparison to what we're used to"

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, pictured here with students and sisters Clíona, Róisín, Ailbhe and Grace O’Carroll who are fundraising for Cork’s SHARE community. Picture: Darragh Kane

The Taoiseach has said the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is a "different threat" to what we've faced during the pandemic so far.

Speaking to the media on a visit to the SHARE fundraising crib in Cork City, Micheál Martin said the threat is the rate at which the virus spreads and the high number of cases that will emerge.