Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
More rules on the way soon
CHEERS RISHI Drinkers in Manchester pub watch Chancellor
THE Health Minister warned yesterday that further restrictions “are likely to be required in the very near future”.
Robin Swann made the claim i n an urgent written statement to the Assembly where he said Northern Ireland is facing a “grave” situation which is getting worse “on a daily if not hourly basis”.
He was speaking after the Department of Health confirmed that there had been another 1,080 positive tests for Covid-19 and as Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill began self-isolation after a relative tested postive.
Mr Swann said: “My department’s daily Covid-19 dashboard reports for the first time that more than 1,000 additional positive tests have been recorded.
“The number of additional tests undertaken in a day has passed the 10,000 mark, also for the first time.
“Over the last week, there has been a further marked 100% increase in cases in the context of a moderate 15% increase in testing. There has been a progressive rise in Covid hospital patients, which are now around 33% of peak levels during wave 1.”
Mr Swann warned the trend expected to worsen “in the very near future”.
He said: “We have now moved beyond the lag period between increased case and pressure on the health system.
“Cases are currently doubling every seven days and hospital admissions every nine days, both reduced from
ISOLATING last week – if current trends remain unabated hospital inpatients will exceed those of wave one in only two to three weeks.
“The situation is grave and getting more so, on a daily if not hourly basis. Significant restrictions on household contacts remain in place across Northern Ireland, while more stringent limits currently in the Derry City and Strabane Local Government District.
“I am advised that further restrictions for Northern Ireland are likely to be required in the very near future, in the event of positive cases continuing their current upward trajectory.” The stark is analysis came as the daily dashboard figures also showed that Covid hospital admissions have increased to 132 inpatients.
A total of 16 people are in ICU beds with only 15 more available.
Earlier yesterday, it emerged Ms O’neill was self-isolating after a family member tested positive.
She is being tested herself but even
with a negative result she will have to i s ol at e for a number of days.
It comes as the Stormont Executive continues to grapple with high infection rates across the region, with the Derry and Strabane Council districts one of the worst hit areas in the UK and Ireland.
On Thursday, ministers moved to increase fines for non-c ompliance with Covid-19 regulations.
The Executive also extended the number of places where the wearing of face coverings will be compulsory.
Ho w e v e r, the powersharing administration stopped short of introducing any new restrictions on social gatherings or the hospitality
industry. A Sinn Fein spokesman said: “Michelle O’neill has confirmed she is being tested for coronavirus and is self-isolating after contact with a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19.
“Michelle will continue to follow the public health advice and carry out her duties in Government remotely.”
Meanwhile, Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank Mccoubrey appealed to those visiting the city this weekend to heed the health guidance. He said: “I’m appealing to people that if they are in Belfast this weekend, shopping or having a bite to eat, that they follow the public health advice and help support our hospitality and retail sectors.
“Council officers have been working closely with city partners to support the city’s recovery journey and we will continue to do so.”
Four more deaths have been linked to Covid-19, with the total number of fatalities now associated with the virus standing at 906, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
The equivalent figure for th e Department of Health, which only counts people with a positive test for Covid prior to their death, is 583.
The latest deaths occurred in the week September 26 to October 2.
The Nisra “total” figure includes people where Coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate.
Of the 906 deaths, the Agency said 488 (53.9%) took place i n hospital, 356 (39.3%) in care homes, eight (0.9%) in hospices and 54 (6.0%) at residential addresses or other locations.