No COVID-19‘cluster’ identified in NI town - but ‘household related infections’ detected

This follows reports that a number of people from several families have developed Covid-19 symptoms in Co Down.

But the PHA has said a “cautious” approach is needed when it comes to small numbers of cases.

That hasn’t stopped a number of local businesses in the Ballynahinch and Crossgar areas from closing parts of their operation.

The owners of Cafeq Tea Rooms in Crossgar posted on their Facebook page that they were closing their premises to sit-in diners “for a few weeks”.

“Due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in our area we are taking the serious decision to close our sit-in for a few weeks to ensure the safety of staff and customers,” the owners wrote.

“As you know we put in safety measures including temperature testing and screens and sanitising stations but we feel that it is necessary for everyone’s safety to now restrict entry to the sit-in. Takeaway will remain as normal.”

The owners also stressed that no staff members had been affected.

Glasswater Lodge care home in Crossgar, meanwhile, has decided not to reopen for visitors.

“We’re going to sit tight over the next week or so and see what happens and then hopefully continue with our plan to reopen once it is safer to do so,” a staff member told BBC News NI.

The Department of Health reported five new positive cases yesterday, bringing the total who have tested positive for coronavirus to 5,761.

The death toll due to the virus reported by the department remained at 554 yesterday, after another day with no deaths recorded.

A PHA spokesperson said: “We have not identified any current clusters other than household-related infections in the Newry, Mourne and Down area

“With some ongoing community transmission of Covid-19, it is expected that there will be variation in the number of cases detected across geographical areas, and with small numbers of cases, we must be cautious about the significance of these variations.

“The Public Health Agency will continue to monitor all cases of Covid-19, look for trends and linked cases and where we need to advise or inform the public of any increased risk to public health we will do so in a timely manner. We will not comment on individual cases as this could lead to people being identified.”