We are still in a very dangerous place, leading virologist says
QUB expert warns surge in cases could lead to fresh restrictions after latest lockdown ends
THE number of positive Covid-19 cases has surged by more than 20% week-on-week since December 7.
The Department of Health reported that a further 20 deaths related to the virus occurred over the weekend, when there were an additional 1,634 positive cases.
Last week 83 people passed away after contracting the virus — an increase of 26 compared to the previous seven days.
From the week ending December 7, some 3,191 people tested positive, rising to 3,862 the following week, and 4,699 in the week before December 21.
Queen’s University virologist Dr Connor Bamford said Northern Ireland remained in a “very dangerous place” if the numbers go down simply due to the six-week lockdown restrictions, arguing something else may be needed.
For example, he said a better test and trace system should be introduced.
“We either have to keep these restrictions in place or find new restrictions,” he said.
He added with positive test figures remaining so high, that will put even more pressure on already struggling hospitals.
Yesterday A&ES at Altnagelvin and the South West Acute Hospital were “very busy”, the Western Trust said.
It advised people to “only attend the emergency department if you require urgent medical or mental health assistance”.
Dr Bamford added: “This is why it was advised to go into stricter restrictions over Christmas to try and combat the numbers and bring those numbers down to a manageable level.
“We won’t see much of an effect from these restrictions in the next couple of weeks.
“If anything, we might see an increase because we know at Christmas there will be a lot of mixing.
“Hopefully, after a couple of weeks we will see the numbers going down and at the end of the six weeks we will see some more positive news on the cases front.”
Alliance MLA and Stormont Health Committee member Paula Bradshaw said the rise in the number of positive cases has been “alarming, disturbing and concerning” for some time.
She believes that it was inevitable the figures would rise as the retail sector reopened in the run-up to Christmas and fears the impact it could have on the health service.
“I don’t think people really make the connection between something that they think is quite innocent — maybe meeting up with a friend — but in terms of wider pressures when people do get the virus, then it can be very devastating,” said Ms Bradshaw.
Reflecting on a possible spike in cases after the six-week lockdown ends, the South Belfast MLA added that children returning to school at the beginning of January remains a particular worry.
“We made provisions for shops and businesses to close, and told people to work from home from now until the end of the six-week lockdown, but we’re still sending our children back to school,” she said.
“That would be my biggest concern over the next month or so — what implications it will have for our pupils and teachers.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann yesterday urged the public not to hold potential “super-spreader” New Year’s Eve parties on Thursday, warning they could cost lives. He said we must unite in the next few months to “get us to a better place”.
“Please stay at home as much as possible,” said Mr Swann.
“Please don’t be tempted to visit friends this week. It’s not just about complying with the regulations, it’s about keeping yourself and others safe.
“A New Year’s Eve house party would not just be against the law, it could be a super-spreader event, could leave people very seriously ill, and could even cost lives.”
Meanwhile, as of 9am yesterday, there had been a further 41,385 confirmed cases of Covid in the UK — the first time the figure was above 40,000 in a single day. A further 357 people died within 28 days of testing positive, bringing the UK death toll to 71,109.