Three cases of the Brazilian Covid-19 variant have been identified in Ireland, the Department of Health said this evening.
All three cases are directly associated with foreign travel, according to a statement from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
There is "currently no microbiological or epidemiological evidence" that the P1 variant – which was first identified in South America – has had any change in its transmissibility levels.
But Dr Ronan Glynn warned anyone who has travelled from Brazil to quarantine at home for 14 days – and arrange a free Covid-19 test.
The P1 variant has previously been detected in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The announcement comes after NPHET earlier confirmed another 763 cases of Covid-19 in Ireland, as well as 28 more deaths.
The figures bring to 213,400 the total number of recorded cases of coronavirus in Ireland.
Tragically, some 4,109 people have now lost their lives as a consequence of Covid-19 since the pandemic hit our shores last spring.
Announcing tonight's figures, Dr Glynn delivered a message of hope, telling the country that "better days are in sight".
He said: "The past year has been very difficult for people and we still have a way to go.
"Incidence remains very high and we cannot drop our guard," Dr Glynn added.
"But better days are in sight. People continue to respond to public health advice and act in solidarity with one another. We have a dedicated and committed health workforce and we are learning more about this disease all the time."
The latest data from NPHET comes amid ongoing fallout after the Taoiseach confirmed Ireland is in for another nine weeks of "severe" lockdown.
The news – revealed by the Irish Mirror late last night – has prompted frustration among opposition politicians, with some criticising Micheal Martin for the manner in which he communicated the news to the country.
