STORMONT: "No cases of the Omicron variant have yet been confirmed here"

The Executive has confirmed no cases of the Omicron variant have yet been confirmed in Northern Ireland but added that is likely to change in the coming days.

In a joint statement from Stormont the emergence of the new strain was described as a "serious and concerning development worldwide” but stressed "there is no need for alarm".

The statement was issued after receiving an update from medical and scientific advisers on the latest situation around the pandemic.

It said: "It is vitally important that everyone redoubles their efforts to drive infection rates down

"The evidence on the new variant is being very closely monitored. And our public health experts will continue to liaise with colleagues in other jurisdictions as the situation develops globally and locally.

"No cases of the Omicron variant have yet been confirmed here, but that situation is likely to change in the coming days.

"It is still unclear whether the clinical impact of this new Coronavirus variant will be more serious, so it is essential that we take preventative action now.

“The public will be kept informed and health protection measures will be actioned as appropriate.

“We must use this time wisely to drive Covid-19 infection rates down."

Ministers added that their priority remains keeping our children and young people in school.

"We recognise the challenges being faced across all our educational settings and the work that teachers and all staff are doing at this difficult time to support young people," they said.

"We will continue to work with all concerned to keep our schools open and safe."

It follows a further two deaths of patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have been reported in Northern Ireland.

Another 2,272 cases of the virus were also notified.

On Thursday morning there were 324 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 30 were in intensive care.

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