The Covid-19 variant known as B117 has already been identified in dozens of countries. The Irish Government was briefed today that 25% of cases in a recent sampling contained the variant and it's been cited as a major factor in the surge of hospitalisations across the UK, where it was first detected.
Announcing a third national lockdown on Monday night, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the variant was spreading at a "frustrating and alarming" rate. "It is clear that we need to do more to bring this new variant under control," Mr Johnson said.
But what do we know about B117? To what extent is it a factor in the spiralling numbers of cases here in Ireland? And why do we need to be concerned? "It's spread across the UK very, very