AN IRISH VIROLOGIST claims it's unlikely that Covid-19 tests detect every new variant of the virus, suggesting that they're far more widespread in Ireland than people might think.
Dr Gerald Barry of University College Dublin (UCD) noted that Ireland's limited testing system means that it would be difficult to accurately identify all the new variants of Covid-19 100% of the time.
There are several new variants spreading around the globe which are believed to be more transmissible than the original strain of the virus, most notably ones from the UK, South Africa and Brazil.
The first case of the UK variant was detected in Ireland on December 24, and it's believed to have been one of the most significant driving factors in the country's current struggle with the virus ever since.
Just 11 cases of the South African variant have been diagnosed here, while no cases of the Brazilian variant have been identified.
However, Dr Barry warned that it's likely both variants are already here, and are spreading fast.
"Unfortunately, any reports of detection of these variants in this country are inaccurate," he said speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"For the simple reason that our capacity to monitor in this country any new variants coming into the country is nowhere near sufficient to actually pick them up.
"Any reports of low numbers of variants or reports of things having not been seen yet is just that they haven't been seen yet.
"They're not reports saying that we don't have them here," he added.
"Unfortunately, it is probably very likely that these variants have had the opportunity to come in"
He continued: "We can't say for definite whether they are here or not because we haven't had the ability to check every case.
"If they haven't come in already, they're probably going to reach us at some point."
The Irish Government has announced it will be clamping down on non-essential travel in and out of the country.
Fines of up to €2,000 will be issued to anyone found in breach of travel regulations, while mandatory hotel quarantine measures will be introduced later this month.
