British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said there is some evidence that the new variant of coronavirus first identified in the UK may be linked to a higher death rate.
Mr Johnson told the Downing Street press conference: "I must tell you this afternoon that we've been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality." Irish Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said yesterday the variant will become the dominant strain of the virus here over the next few weeks.