The World Health Organisation has said that the Omicron variant, which has been detected in at least 38 countries, has not caused any reported deaths since its discovery.
The variant appears to be highly infectious, and the WHO predicts that it could account for half of all Europe’s cases in the next few months. However, it has not claimed any lives so far anywhere in the world according to health authorities.
WHO says no deaths reported from Omicron yet as Covid variant spreads https://t.co/oaFNe2bnOB
— Guardian US (@GuardianUS) December 4, 2021
The news comes as Ireland introduces a wide variety of new restrictions, all out of fear of the variant according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
“We will do whatever we reasonably can to stop this new variant from circulating in the country,” Martin said during a national address.
“But we have already confirmed one case and all of our experience to date shows that while restrictions on travel are useful to delay the entry of new variants, it is impossible to stop them.”
NPHET have warned about the serious potential impact that Omicron could have on Ireland.
UK coronavirus restrictions: PCR tests for all those entering the UK in bid to curb the spread of Omicron variant https://t.co/QJSJnMCSw6
— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) November 27, 2021