Coronavirus: NI council sees 43 new cases since Friday

This comes after a school, a number of sports clubs and businesses were impacted by the outbreaks in the area during the past week.

Across Northern Ireland, there have been 196 confirmed cases of coronavirus since Friday.

There were 89 on Saturday, 49 on Sunday and 58 on Monday as the upward trend in positive cases continues.

Belfast City Council, the most populous of Northern Ireland’s 11 local council areas, accounted for 55 of those cases .

But the 43 new cases in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon represents a significant increase for the area.

St Anthony’s Primary School in Craigavon revealed on Friday that two pupils from the same family had tested positive for the virus.

A number of gyms, football clubs and businesses have also been affected across the Lurgan and Craigavon area

St Anthony’s principal, Mr Patrick Mallon, said two pupils from the same family tested positive for the virus.

All children who came into contact with the two pupils were sent home while the two classes “will remain closed until further notice” as an “enhanced clean” is carried out, Mr Mallon said in a letter to parents.

Two GAA clubs in Lurgan also took action after members tested positive.

The Chairman of St Peter’s GAC in Lurgan Mr Paul Lavery said in a statement that five players tested positive. He added: “All football activity at the Club is still temporarily suspended as we continue to engage with the Armagh County Board & Armagh Ladies Board and take direction from the Public Health Agency.”

A spokesperson for Clan na Gael CLG, also based in Lurgan, confirmed four members had tested positive.

The club said in a statement: “We now have three confirmed positive tests with our men’s senior squad and one with our boy’s minor squad. All club facilities are closed and activities postponed as a precautionary measure at this time.”

It is understood three gyms in Lurgan, a bar and a number of other businesses were affected by the outbreak of coronavirus in the area. This follows the emergence of two clusters of the virus at Craigavon Area Hospital, with a number of patients and staff having tested positive.

There are 17 people in hospital with the virus at present, with two on ventillators in intensive care. There are 15 ‘active’ coronavirus outbreaks in care homes.

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