Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SWANN SLAMS COVID DENIERS
Minister’s anger at ‘deluded’ pandemic conspiracy theorists
HEALTH Minister Robin Swann last night said those who believe Covid-19 is a hoax are “deluded”.
With the death toll here now at 671 people, he blasted: “Talk to a nurse, talk to a doctor, talk to a hospital porter. Talk to someone who
is currently working across our health service or a care home to see the reality of what Covid actually means.
“If they think this is some sort of a great hoax that has been manipulated across the world... they are deluded.
“I would ask them just to stay in the house, stay out of the road.”
Thirteen more Covid-19-linked deaths were announced in Northern Ireland yesterday, the highest daily total of fatalities announced since May.
The Department of Health figures also revealed there were 360 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, with 38 in intensive care.
The numbers being treated in hospital have surpassed the peak of the first wave of 322 on April 8.
Mr Swann described the figures as “heartbreaking ” and urged the public to “dig in” and follow public health advice.
He added: “I never thought we would be getting back to seeing deaths in double figures after where we were back in May.
“I am asking people now to dig in, follow the regulations and the advice the Executive is putting out.
“We are a week-and-a-half into the current restrictions across the whole of Northern Ireland and we are starting to see a small decrease.
“While we’re seeing a decrease in the positive cases at the minute, it will take a few weeks for that decrease to work through to our hospitalisations and to intensive care units.”
With schools set to reopen next week, Mr Swann said work is under way to address concerns around the school gates, transport and extra-curricular activities.
The Ulster Unionist minister added: “There’s a piece of work being done there to make sure we can reduce those opportunities again for the chance of infection.”
Mr Swann also said there will be “challenges to what we perceive as being a normal Christmas”. But he urged people to continue the “spirit of Christmas” by supporting l oved ones and celebrating together.
He added: “I think we can do that, I think if we pull together for the next two and a half weeks, we can get to a better place come the end of the year and come Christmas.”
If they think this is a hoax... they are deluded ROBIN SWANN, HITTING OUT AT COVID-19 DENIERS