Today: 17 October 2025
20 December 2021
1 min read

Omicron becomes dominant strain in Ireland

Starting from Sunday, people aged 40 to 49 in Ireland are eligible for a booster vaccine. Local media reported that long queues were seen in many vaccination centers across the country…reports Asian Lite News.

The Irish Department of Health has reported 5,124 new confirmed Covid-19 cases, saying that about 52 per cent of them were due to the Omicron variant.

“It has taken less than two weeks for Omicron to become the dominant strain of Covid-19 in Ireland, revealing just how transmissible this virus is,” said Tony Holohan, chief medical officer with the department, as saying in a statement on Sunday.

He urged all the people eligible for a booster vaccine to get it as early as possible, saying that “it is extremely important we do everything we can to flatten the curve of this wave now to prevent unnecessary deaths, risk to the vulnerable and to protect our health service.”

Starting from Sunday, people aged 40 to 49 in Ireland are eligible for a booster vaccine. Local media reported that long queues were seen in many vaccination centers across the country.

The Irish government originally planned to inoculate the people in this age group with the booster vaccine starting from December 27, but has decided to vaccinate as many people as possible before the coming Christmas and New Year holidays, according to the Irish health department.

The Irish government on Sunday also announced in a statement that Eamon Ryan, minister for environment, climate and communications and minister for transport, and also the leader of the Green Party, has tested positive for Covid-19 and “is self-isolating at home.”

Ryan “attended Cabinet remotely on Friday, so members of the Cabinet are not close contacts,” said the statement.

ALSO READ-Omicron alarm sounded in London

Previous Story

New South Wales announces wetland as globally protected

Next Story

Goa known for its syncretic existence of all religions

Latest from -Top News

India wins unopposed seat on UNHRC

India last served on the HRC in 2024, completing a second consecutive term….reports Asian Lite News India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time,

Relief Rolls In, Restrictions Remain in Gaza

Israeli official noted an Israeli statement saying it would limit the number of aid truckloads entering the Gaza Strip to 300 daily…reports Asian Lite News Relief operations in Gaza have intensified since

‘A Day to Rejoice’

In its statement, British Friends of Israel saluted the courage and resilience of the hostages and expressed deep sorrow for those who did not survive captivity After 737 days of anguish, the

UK to Lead Gaza Rebuild

PM announces an additional £20 million aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands of people Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the signing ceremony of

UK to host summit on Gaza recovery plan

The three-day conference, beginning Monday afternoon, will take place at Wilton Park, the Foreign Office’s policy forum based in West Sussex The UK will host an international summit on the recovery and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Africa’s 4th Covid wave flattening

Deaths in the fourth wave on the African continent are

UAE leaders Irish President on St, Patrick’s Day

UAE leaders has sent a message of congratulations to President