LATEST: Klikenny among 1,025 new cases as new strain of virus is detected here

A further two people have died after contracting the coronavirus as 1,025 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 2,194. There has now been 84,098 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

Commenting on the latest figures, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan  said: “I can confirm that we have detected the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 by whole genome sequencing at the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD.

“Further testing in the coming days and weeks will establish the extent to which it is present here. In the meantime, it is vitally important that we each stay at home, avoid social contact and avoid all forms of non-essential travel.”

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