Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
INDIA VIRUS IN ULSTER
Seven cases of variant confirmed but ‘plans in place’
SEVEN cases of the Indian variant of Covid-19 have been detected in Northern Ireland.
They are the first confirmed here.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael Mcbride said a detailed health protection risk assessment and contact tracing would be carried out. He added: “This news is not entirely unexpected and plans are in place for such an eventuality.
“While preventative measures are very important, the assessment is these will delay rather than prevent the spread of variants already detected elsewhere on these islands.
“Confirmation of these
cases does not mean this variant is going to become the most prevalent or dominant strain.
“It does, however, highlight why caution is still essential.
“All variants spread in the same way. We protect ourselves and others by following public health advice and getting vaccinated when our turn comes.” Dr Stephen Bergin of the Public Health Agency said the cases had been identified at a number of locations.
He added: “Whilst it is a disappointing development, it underpins the need for continued vigilance.
“Currently there are no additional measures the public need to take on the back of this but it is essential that people continue to work within the regulations and advice.”
There were no further deaths announced yesterday.
The Department of Health said there had been an additional 102 cases of the virus recorded. There were 67 Covid-19 patients in hospital, seven in ICU.