Taoiseach Says UK Strain Of Covid-19 Delaying Drop In Numbers Here

Ireland's in for the "long haul" in its fight to suppress Covid-19, according to the Taoiseach.

Micheal Martin told his parliamentary party last night the UK variant is increasing the disease's reproductive number by zero-point-five and is slowing the decline in case numbers.
He also told members that reopening schools and construction will be the priority during Level 5, and he expects the numbers in hospital to be around 800 by the end of the month.

Meanwhile Covid-related presentations to GPs have fallen to their lowest point since early December, according to GP Buddy, which tracks calls to surgeries around the country.