Robin Swann: New Covid-19 variant ‘likely’ in Northern Ireland

Health Minister Robin Swann said that it is to be expected that the Omicron Covid-19 variant is already in Northern Ireland.

In a statement to MLAs, Mr Swann said: “Although there is limited evidence of the impact of the new variant, there are concerns that it has a large number of mutations, which means that there is the potential for the variant to be resistant to vaccines and more transmissible.

“As yet it is unclear if it would be more serious in terms of the clinical impact.

“At this particular moment, there have been no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant identified in Northern Ireland, but it is highly likely that this position will change in the coming days.

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“The Public Health Agency (PHA) is undertaking detailed risk assessments of some returning travellers from red-listed countries and is advising on any immediate public health actions which are required to slow the introduction of this variant and to limit its spread in Northern Ireland.

“In light of the cases identified in England and Scotland it is to be expected that there may already be cases of the variant in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Swann said all new international arrivals into Northern Ireland would have to undergo a PCR test.

He said: “I have decided that additional measures will shortly be put in place in Northern Ireland for all international arrivals in light of the characteristics of the variant.

“All arrivals into Northern Ireland from non-red list countries, including those who are fully vaccinated, will now be required to self-isolate for 10 days unless they receive a negative test result, with a PCR test to be undertaken on or before day two.

“We will keep all these arrangements under review and will consider what additional measures may be necessary in coming days.

“It is planned that these changes will take effect in the International Travel Regulations early this week, although the advice is that travellers should follow these new arrangements immediately.”

Mr Swann continued: “I recognise that the measures I am announcing today will have consequences for individuals, their families and the local economy.

“However, it is essential that we follow the approach that has been announced for the rest of the United Kingdom in order to reduce the risk of a potentially even greater and more serious wave of infection than we currently face.

“The position in the Republic of Ireland will also be kept under close observation.

“I sincerely hope that the scale of the transmissibility advantage of the new variant is not as large as feared and/or that the symptoms are more moderate than the delta variant, particularly for the most vulnerable.

“Until we know more about the characteristics of the new variant it is not acceptable to take the risk with the health of our people, and we need to take action urgently.

“It should be stressed that although the Omicron variant may reduce the effectiveness of the current vaccines, it remains very likely that vaccination will continue to protect against severe illness from Omicron as it does against other variants.”

A further four deaths of patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland today.

Another 1,464 cases of the virus were also notified.

On Monday morning there were 340 Covid-positive patients in hospital, of whom 28 were in intensive care.