Ministers will discuss new restrictions on Friday.

But as Ireland braces for a rapid surge in cases of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of Covid-19, the Irish Cancer Society is urging people to start now and take simple steps to keep vulnerable cancer patients safe this Christmas.

With Omicron set to become the dominant strain of the virus in Ireland within the coming week, the Society is receiving an increasing number of calls to its support line from people who are anxious to know how they can best protect themselves or their loved ones.

“We are hearing the distress from cancer patients who want to have a meaningful Christmas after almost two incredibly difficult years but are worried about the risks as families gather, and understandably so given the further uncertainty over the Omicron variant.” said Dr Robert O’Connor, Director of Research, Irish Cancer Society.

‘Omicron spreads even easier again’

“It is important to remember that we are not dealing with the same COVID-19 variant that we were in December 2020. The Delta variant was much more transmissible and, unfortunately, there are already strong indications that the newer Omicron variant spreads even easier again.

“Now more than ever, it is vital to take all possible steps to protect those in your life who have a weak immune system, including cancer patients.”

According to Dr O’Connor, those who are currently undergoing active cancer treatment such as some types of chemotherapy and those with blood cancers should be particularly careful during the Christmas period.

“These conditions can mean that the immune system doesn’t work as well, making patients more vulnerable to illness and infection,” he said.

“The benefits of vaccination for this group can also be reduced. A positive COVID-19 diagnosis or close contact may also greatly delay the start of cancer treatment, and infection can have profound consequences for patients’ health,” Dr O’Connor added.

The best ways to protect loved ones with cancer from COVID-19 include vaccination and booster doses, reducing contacts, FFP2 or FFP3 Face Masks, PCR and Antigen Testing, being symptom aware, and avoiding confined or crowded methods of travel.