Dr. Lorraine Doherty:

I will give a brief update on variants.

We are closely monitoring these in the country now. To date, we have identified 15 cases of the South African variant and three cases of the Brazilian variant.

When we identify a variant of concern - these are defined by World Health Organization classifications - we undertake an enhanced process of contact management. The case itself has to isolate for 14 days. We test it twice. Such cases are very strictly isolating. We test their contacts and the contacts of contacts are actively followed up and have to isolate. Therefore, there is a much enhanced process of contact management around these cases and an enhanced data set collected because, most importantly, we need to try to identify the source of transmission for these infections and whether or not they are travel related. That is an accepted process that is in place across the country now in all public health departments and we bring a weekly report to NPHET on the variants of concern that we are investigating.