24 Dec 2020 / 05:15 H. New variant present in Ireland since at least mid-December Every indicator of disease rising rapidly - health chiefs COVID-19 reproduction number 1.5-1.8, highest since March (Adds report on health chiefs recommendations, variant in N.Ireland)
By Padraic Halpin
DUBLIN, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Irish health chiefs believe a new variant of COVID-19 found in neighbouring Britain is present in Ireland, but not solely responsible for a rapid spread of the disease that will require restrictions beyond those announced just 24 hours ago.
The presence since at least the second week of December of the more infectious variant is based on preliminary data from a selection of samples from last weekend, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said in a statement.
Covid-19 Variant Present in Ireland, New Curbs Needed: Health Chiefs
FOLLOW US ON:
Irish health chiefs believe a new variant of COVID-19 found in neighbouring Britain is present in Ireland, but not solely responsible for a rapid spread of the disease that will require restrictions beyond those announced just 24 hours ago.
The presence since at least the second week of December of the more infectious variant is based on preliminary data from a selection of samples from last weekend, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said in a statement.
The variant was also identified north of the open border in British-run Northern Ireland on Wednesday.
BW Businessworld
Northern Ireland Looks South As Brexit Takes Bite Out Of UK Trade Links
The UK s biggest supermarkets have also warned in recent weeks that they may not be able to provide the same variety of food to their Northern Irish stores due to uncertainty over how the new requirements will work.
Photo Credit :
As a major supplier of food in Northern Ireland, Lynas Foodservice is sourcing more goods such as cheese from across the open border with EU-member Ireland to avoid the bureaucratic trade hurdles being erected with Britain after Brexit.
The supplier of coffee chains, fast food giants and pubs has rerouted European stock via Dublin and sought out Irish or EU suppliers to ease the pressure once British goods require customs checks and paperwork to enter the province when the United Kingdom exits the European Union on Dec. 31.
3 Min Read
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish health chiefs believe a new variant of COVID-19 found in neighbouring Britain is present in Ireland, but not solely responsible for a rapid spread of the disease that will require restrictions beyond those announced just 24 hours ago.
Slideshow ( 2 images )
The presence since at least the second week of December of the more infectious variant is based on preliminary data from a selection of samples from last weekend, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) said in a statement.
The variant was also identified north of the open border in British-run Northern Ireland on Wednesday.