LATEST: Care Home and cafe among businesses closing ‘for safety of everyone’ after spike in COVID-19 in NI town - ‘Contact tracing is an important element and if anyone is asked to isolate they should do so immediately’

The clusters of coronavirus symptoms have been located in Ballynahinch and Crossgar.

According to the BBC it is believed that up to 16 people could be affected.

Health authorities have reminded the public to contact them if they are experiencing symptoms so that measures including track and trace can be implemented as quickly as possible.

The Department of Health today revealed there are five new positive cases in NI - bringing the total who have tested positive for coronavirus to 5,761.

The latest cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.

According to the latest dashboard there have been no new Covid-19 related deaths recorded by Northern Ireland’s Department of Health in the last 24 hours - so the death toll remains at 554.

The department’s daily figures are mostly comprised of hospital deaths and where a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.

Health authorities have reminded the public to contact them if they are experiencing symptoms so that measures including track and trace can be implemented as quickly as possible.

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

The post said: “Hi everyone 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.

“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... No one on our staff has been affected and we want them that to stay this way and ensure that our customers also remain healthy.

“We will win this fight if we all play smart and come out the other side safe. Hugh and Eileen xx”

Meanwhile Glasswater Lodge care home in Crossgar have decided not to reopen for visitors “at present”.

“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.

“It’s a bit of a setback but the staff are all great and we’re sticking to the guidelines, so the atmosphere in the home is positive.

“We’ve had no cases, thankfully, and the families have all been very supportive of our decision to remain closed.”

A number of cafes in the area have also closed.

SDLP Health Spokesperson, Colin McGrath MLA today said there must be a swift response to the suspected outbreak of COVID-19 in Crossgar and Ballynahinch.

“The virus has been a worrying development sweeping across the world and it is concerning to hear that it has spiked in the Crossgar and Ballynahinch area,” he said.

“This underscores the need for people to be vigilant and ensure that they are continuing to wash their hands and be observant of social distancing rules.”

“While we have had many easements to the regulations that were in place to guide us through this pandemic it is apparent that it is still in our community and spikes can occur at any stage in any place.”

“I welcome that the Deportment has moved quickly to isolate this outbreak and I would ask the community to be vigilant of further cases and to follow any official directions to try and contain this outbreak.”

He added: “Contact tracing is an important element and if anyone is asked to isolate they should do so immediately. It is through working together with the authorities that we will contain any spread.”

“I wish all those who have contracted the virus a quick return to full health and hope they receive all the support from the Health Services to help returns to full health.”

Former SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie tweeted a “speedy recovery” to those who tested positive for the virus.

The House of Lords peer said she hoped there was “an adequate track and trace in place”.

Alliance Councillor for Rowallane, Patrick Brown, this afternoon issued a ‘joint statement from Councillors on COVID cases in Rowallane area’.

The statement says: “Rowallane Councillors Terry Andrews, Patrick Brown, Robert Burgess, Cllr Kathryn Owen and William Walker conducted a Skype call on Tuesday 7th July 2020 to provide some clarity on rumours circulating about the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the area and formulate a plan to ensure timely and accurate information is disseminated to residents to protect themselves and loved ones.

“Councillors are concerned that local residents are feeling anxious and consequently businesses are being affected by erroneous information being circulated and we want to do our best to put people’s minds at ease whilst ensuring safety for all.

“During the meeting it was agreed that the following actions would be taken:

“1. That a joint statement be issued from Rowallane Councillors

“2. A letter be sent to the Health Minister and Public Health Authority asking that positive cases be identified by District Electoral Area (DEA) to identify clusters.

“3. Encourage those concerned that they may have the virus to book an appointment to visit the Mobile Covid-19 Unit currently located in Down Leisure Centre.

“4. Continue to engage with the Strangford and South Down MLA’s to work together in partnership to provide accurate and up to date information on reported cases of the Corona Virus.

“Councillors reminded residents of the need to continue to work on avoiding the spread of the infection by following the Public Health Authority (PHA) Guidelines of:

“✅Try to stay at least 2 metres (3 steps) away from anyone you do not live with (or anyone not in your support bubble)

“✅Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available and wash your hands as soon as you get home

“✅ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

“✅Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean”.

Councillor Browne added: “I personally would also encourage people to wear a mask or suitable face covering when out and about, as it has been shown to dramatically reduce risk of infection.

“Bottom line is - anyone who has tested positive in the area in isolating and anyone who came into contact with them or is showing symptoms should get tested. Everyone else should continue with the same precautions as always.

“It is vital in these uncertain times that we follow the health guidance provided and take all precautions necessary to keep eachother safe. It is also imperative that we do what we can to support the local economy and continue to shop local in line with the current regulations - I have every faith that local businesses are doing all they can be re-open safely and we need to support them at this time.

“Apologies for the delay on this statement folks, I have been aware of this issue for some time and despite all Councillors working together on a cross-party basis to prepare a statement, Council informed us this afternoon that we are not allowed to issue a joint media statement ourselves! We are doing our best to work together behind the scenes though”.

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