DUBLIN (Reuters) – The incidence of the most infectious coronavirus variant first discovered in England has increased further in Ireland in the past few days and accounted for almost half of the most recent sample of positive tests, said Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
Ireland’s 14-day infection rate has increased 10-fold in the past three weeks, to 1,291 cases per 100,000, driven by the new variant and the reopening of shops, restaurants and the relaxation of the ban on home visits before Christmas.
Martin said he was informed by the medical director of Ireland that the new variant was responsible for 45% of the 92 most recent samples that had undergone additional testing, compared with 25% of those tested in the week through January 3 and 9% two weeks earlier.
Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Hugh Lawson