Positive antigen tests could be added to official Covid figures

Government is optimistic that Covid-19 cases will peak this coming week, but business leaders warn that staffing shortages are emerging in critical industries like food and pharma

Covid-19 case numbers have risen rapidly in recent days, almost all of them down to the new Omicron variant. Picture: Getty

The cabinet will this week consider whether to integrate positive antigen tests into official Covid-19 figures, as the PCR system has become completely overwhelmed by the current wave of Omicron cases.

Government sources told the Business Post they were optimistic that Covid-19 cases would peak this week, based on modelling from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet), and that international evidence was suggesting the record-breaking wave of Omicron would not translate into high levels ...