42 cases of Omicron variant now confirmed in Ireland, as 4,235 new cases reported

24 new cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Ireland, bringing the total to 42.

They are part of the 4,235 cases reported this evening,

470 patients are in hospital with the virus, of which 105 are in ICU.

47 Covid-19 related deaths have also been reported in the past week.