Colum Eastwood fears 'worrying' spike in COVID-19 in Derry and Donegal on verge of getting 'out of control'

He was speaking after the seven day COVID-19 case rate in Derry and Strabane rose to 141.4 and Donegal was placed in Phase Three of the coronavirus restrictions.

"The rise in coronavirus cases in Derry and Donegal is worrying. We have to look after ourselves, each other and our healthcare workers by wearing a mask, socially distancing, limiting our movements and washing our hands," he said.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Derry and Strabane doubled in less than three weeks between Sunday, September 6 and yesterday September 24.

There have now been 588 cases in the city and district.

Mr. Eastwood said: "Cases are getting to a point where it is nearly out of control. We all have to act. Governments at times can be slow but all of us have the power in our hands to protect each other, to protect the NHS, our nurses, our doctors, those people who are going to be on the front line in the next few months.

"So I just want everybody to be very, very careful. Restrict your movements, do all the mask wearing, hand-washing, social distancing, all the things that we have to do. This is now getting very, very serious and we have to get serious to fight it.