Niamh Griffin: Should we be worried about covid's new Eris variant?

The World Health Organization said while Eris appears more transmissible than Omicron, it is not causing more severe illness

Chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said people will benefit from having “a much more robust immunity both from natural infection and from vaccination”. File photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Once again covid-19 has evolved and produced another variant but despite rising hospital case numbers, health warnings have been muted so far.

The HSE and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said this week that restrictions, including mask-wearing, are not being considered. It is early days for this descendant of Omicron, EG.5, nicknamed Eris, and Ireland is not alone in remembering previous winters and wondering what could be next.