Early Omicron data gives hope in Covid pandemic, insists Micheál Martin

Growing evidence in other countries that the highly transmissible Omicron variant is causing less severe illness “could create a new horizon” for the pandemic, according to the taoiseach.

“I’m more optimistic, even though the current situation doesn’t reflect that,” Micheál Martin said.

Despite record-breaking numbers of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Ireland and around the world, some experts believe Omicron, which causes an upper-respiratory tract infection, could be a turning point in the pandemic. Previous variants have attacked the lungs in the lower respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia, a primary cause of Covid-related deaths.

Asked if he thought the current surge of the virus might be the final one before the pandemic begins to recede, Martin said he was “loath to use that language”.