Three Omicron COVID-19 variant cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
All three positive cases are linked to travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
There are ‘undoubtedly’ unidentified cases of the variant in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer Prof Sir Michael McBride has said.
Speaking to BBC News NI, he said we will see a ‘significant increase’ in numbers before Christmas.
“This is not a time for panic, but for sustained caution. We are awaiting further data on this new variant and the extent of the public health threat it represents.
“It is undoubtedly a cause for concern and has the potential to spread rapidly, adding significantly to the already severe pressures on health and social care services.
“We will continue to liaise closely with public health colleagues across these islands.
“Given the evidence of community transmission of Omicron elsewhere in the Common Travel Area, we would once again advise people to take a Lateral Flow COVID-19 test before travelling to Northern Ireland from England, Scotland, Wales or the Republic of Ireland.”