The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has been notified by the Public Health Agency of seven confirmed cases of the VUI B.1.617.2 (Indian) Covid variant in the country.
These are the first confirmed cases of this variant in the province.
In a statement that was released this evening, health authorities said: "The Department of Health is working closely with the PHA and the Regional Virology Laboratory in relation to the investigation and assessment of these cases.
Incident management protocols have been activated. A detailed health protection risk assessment will be part of the public health response, as will contact tracing."
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, has said: “This news is not entirely unexpected and plans are in place for such an eventuality.
“While preventative measures – including travel restrictions – are very important, the assessment is that these will delay rather than permanently prevent the spread of variants already detected elsewhere on these islands. Confirmation of these cases does not mean this variant is going to become the most prevalent or the dominant strain in Northern Ireland, " he said.
McBride adds: “It does, however, highlight why caution is still essential in relation to COVID-19. The most effective way to stop variants from developing or spreading is to keep pushing down infection rates and transmission of the virus in our community.
“All variants spread in the same way. We protect ourselves and others by following public health advice and getting vaccinated when our turn comes. Social distancing and limiting the number of contacts we have are still vitally important. So too are wearing a face covering and washing hands well and often. Also, please always remember the particular risks from indoor settings, especially those that are crowded and have poor ventilation.”
Northern Ireland reported no Covid-related deaths on Thursday, leaving total fatalities at 2,146.
However, 102 more people tested positive.
At present, 67 patients are being treated in hospital for coronavirus, with seven in intensive care.
