A NEW strain of the Omicron variant - thought to be one of the most transmissible forms of the Covid-19 virus to date - has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
The Public Health Agency has said the XE strain was found in fewer than five cases.
It is estimated that 1,179 cases of XE have been detected in the whole of the UK.
The strain was first detected in Britain in January, with tests showing it is more transmissible than the original Omicron variant - itself a more transmissible form of the virus than those previously identified.
XE is thought to be a hybrid of Omicron's BA.1 AND BA.2 strain, and studies have found it may be up to 43 percent more transmissible than the original Omicron variant.
Speaking of cases in the north, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency said: "To date a small number of confirmed cases (fewer than five) have been detected in Northern Ireland. All appropriate health actions have been carried out.
"Recombinant variants are not an unusual occurrence, particularly when there are several variants in circulation, and several have been identified over the course of the pandemic to date."
The spokesperson said reducing transmission and keeping infection rates down was the best way to prevent further variants of Covid developing.
"By sticking to public health advice, getting vaccinated, wearing face coverings in busy indoor environments where ventilation is poor, and particularly when visiting hospitals and other health and care settings and when around people they know to be vulnerable, we can all play a role in tackling Covid-19," they added.
No updates on Covid cases for the north have been released by the Department of Health during the Easter weekend.
Last Thursday, when data was updated, there were five deaths and 791 new cases recorded.