Cluster of cases linked to a ‘social gathering’

A NUMBER of positive tests for Covid-19 have occurred in the area linked to a cluster sparked by a “social gathering”, the Department of Health has confirmed.

The party in Limavady, Co Derry, led to the Public Health Agency last week sending a mobile testing unit to the area.

It said the initial infections were linked to a “social gathering in a residential setting”. They have not commented on reports it was a karaoke party.

Up to 20 people are believed to have been infected as a result of the gathering.

Last week, the PHA said: “We will not comment on individual cases as this could lead to people being identified and deter others with symptoms coming forward to be tested.

“We would ask everyone to be mindful of this risk.”

UNUSUAL

In an unusual step, having stopped issuing weekend “dashboards”, health officials yesterday published test results.

They show in the past seven days there have been 23 cases in the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area. Limavady is in that council area. Results focus on Local Government

District not towns or villages.

The Derry City and Strabane Council area had

13. In the previous week, Causeway Coast and Glens had none as did Derry City and Strabane. In the past week, there were 61 positive tests across the whole of Northern Ireland, meaning over half were in the two council areas mentioned.

The mobile testing unit was deployed to the Limavady area to assist with tracking and tracing process.

Last week Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Mcbride said the news “underlines we have to keep up our guard”, adding: “Social gatherings have been an issue on both sides of the border.”

ESSENTIAL