That's according to a Public Health professor, who also says there's no need to panic.
The new Covid Omicron variant could already be here, but not enough genetic sequencing is being done to find it.
That's according to a Public Health professor, who says there's no need to panic.
The National Public Health Emergency Team says it's considering further required measures, following reports of Omicron cases in the UK, Italy, Germany and Belgium.
3,735 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed today.
566 people are currently in hospital with the virus - an increase of 30 on yesterday's figure.
117 people are being treated in ICU, a decrease of 1 on yesterday.
Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems at Dublin City University, says more sequencing should be done:.
Some coronavirus measures have been re-introduced in Britain after two cases of the new Omicron variant were found there.
Face coverings will have to be worn on public transport and in shops in England from next week.
Travellers will have to take a PCR test and isolate until they get a negative result.
The rules will be reviewed just before Christmas, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists the festivities aren't cancelled:
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein wants to know if children wearing face masks will be made mandatory in schools.
NPHET's recommending they wear them if they're aged 9 or over in schools, shops and on public transport.
Antigen testing will also be made available in schools from tomorrow.
But Deputy Donnchadh O'Laoaghaire says contact tracing must be brought back to schools:
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