Ireland has a choice to make in how we respond to the Indian variant of Covid-19 

As the Indian variant of Covid-19 grows in significance, Gerry Killeen examines the steps Ireland could take to minimise its impact

A public health digital board warns the public of a Covid-19 variant of concern affecting the community in Bolton, northwest England last week. England remains on track for the latest easing of its coronavirus lockdown but is taking no chances after a doubling of cases of an Indian variant, the government said today. Picture: Oli Scarff / AFP  via Getty Images

As we’ve all learned the hard way with B117, which originated from the southeast of England, the adaptation of a novel virus into more transmissible and virulent forms is a real process with real consequences. 

For most people, such an eventuality may have sounded like a storyline from a low-budget sci-fi movie until well into 2020.