Jim Wells: Young people in Northern Ireland ‘out of control’ over coronavirus advice

Jim Wells, who served as health minister from 2014-15, said people in the 18-30 age group appear to be no longer “responding” to government advice on preventing the spread of the virus.

Speaking to the News Letter, Mr Wells said: “Among that age group when it comes to social distancing while they are socialising,it has just disappeared.

“I suppose the issue among the 18-30 age group — and they are probably correct — is that the chances of them having a serious issue from contracting coronavirus is quite small. All the evidence would show that if they get it, they’ll shake it off. The issue, of course, is that if those people were in complete isolation from the rest of the community then there wouldn’t be a huge concern. The reality is of course that they are not.”

He continued: “The positive case numbers do seem to be predominantly amongst young people, and they seem to be picking that up — in South Down — in house parties, pubs, clubs and GAA clubs. None of that appears to be directly resulting in anyone going to hospital, or even needing to go to see their GP. None of the young people that have contracted it seem to have any adverse affect.”

The South Down MLA continued: “But it is deeply irresponsible when those people then go to see their parents or their grandparents, who might be more vulnerable. Many young people are out of control. They do not appear to be responding to the messaging on public health.”

In the past seven days, 383 people aged under 30 have tested positive for the virus in Northern Ireland. The 40-59 age group accounted for 167, with 74 cases in those aged 60 and over.