Tánaiste Leo Varadkar is self-isolating following positive antigen test

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has tested positive for Covid-19.

According to RTÉ, a spokesman for the Tánaiste has confirmed that Varadkar is "self-isolating due to a positive antigen test."

The spokesman also notes that the Tánaiste "tested negative yesterday in Brussels."

"He has some mild intermittent symptoms but is otherwise well and intends to carry out any functions that he can virtually."

Earlier this morning, Varadkar took to Twitter to welcome the news that "Janssen Sciences is investing €180M in its Ringaskiddy facility" – which he says will "create 180 new jobs & a further 300 during construction phase."

Earlier this month, he reflected on the two-year anniversary of Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland in an Instagram post.

"It’s hard to believe but it’s two years to the day since I stood on the steps of the Blair House in Washington DC and uttered those words - ‘I need to talk to you about the coronavirus’," he wrote. "That evening schools closed for the first time and further restrictions followed in the coming days.

"Nobody could have predicted what would happen," he continued. "There has been so much sufferring and loss. Lives interrupted and delayed. But there can be no doubt that Ireland has prevailed and we are now emerging from the pandemic with among the lowest excess deaths in Europe and one of the strongest economies now approaching full employment again.

"We pulled together. I want to thank everyone who played their part; healthcare and essential workers, scientists, members of NPHET and all the companies and voluntary organisations which formed part of the effort."

Yesterday, the Department of Health was notified of 8,910 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19, as well as 14,215 positive antigen tests logged through the HSE portal.

As of 8am yesterday, there were 1,425 Covid-19 patients in hospital – 53 of which were in ICU.