HSE recommending families rethink communion parties or other gatherings in light of the delta variant

It's considered up to 60% more transmissible than other strains.  

It now accounts for an estimated 20% of cases here, but the HSE has warned that's likely to increase. 

Chief Operations Officer Anne O'Connor says people need to be cautious about gatherings:

"The problem is this particular variant moves so quickly, because of its higher level of transmissibility it goes through groups of people much more quickly so people just need to be cautious and I suppose to ask themselves to do those things need to happen. I know communions are huge and people have had those cancelled and deferred but I think in terms of the numbers of people and some of the precautionary measures for example being outdoors, perhaps, are really important."