1 in 25 have Covid in Derry & West: New changes to isolation rules

It is thought that the recent rises in COVID cases will have helped inform the decision to retain lateral flow access following a review, although Test & Trace was formally scrapped as of yesterday, Thursday, while the rules on self-isolating have also changed.

New data from the Office of National Statistics estimates that for the week ending June 25 one person in every 25 people in the Western Trust area had COVID, a jump from 1 in 30 the previous week.

The incidence rate in the Western Trust region is higher than the other four Trust areas in Northern Ireland where the rate is one in 30.

The rate in Derry and the wider Western Trust area is also higher than the England & Wales average of one in 30, but lower than the rate in Scotland, where one in every 18 people are estimated to be infected.

The BA4 and BA5 strains of Omicron make up the bulk of cases, the latest ONS round of random testing show.

Changes to COVID testing generally in the north were announced in April 2022 with a further review to take place this week. Under current arrangements, lateral flow tests are available to members of the public with COVID-19 symptoms, including those who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments.

Tests are also available to health and social care staff, those visiting others in health and care settings, and those providing close personal care to someone at higher risk. This availability has been extended for a further month.

In further developments, the self isolation period after a positive COVID-19 test has been reduced to five days, and advice has been updated for those with general symptoms of a respiratory virus including COVID.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I have always said I would keep COVID-19 measures under review. It is clear that after a period of reducing case numbers we are now seeing a rise in cases.

“Whilst prevalence continues to be relatively high, thankfully the overall risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death for those who contract COVID-19 is much lower than during previous waves.

“That said, we continue to see severe pressures in our hospitals and the contribution of COVID-19, even though admission numbers are smaller than in previous waves, adds to these pressures.

“After careful consideration I have decided to extend the availability of lateral flow testing for those with symptoms until the end of July.”

From today, adults who test positive for COVID-19 are advised to stay home and avoid contact with other people for five days after the day of test or from the day symptoms started. As children tend to be less infectious than adults, this period is reduced to three days for children under 18 years of age.

Whilst the self-isolation period has been reduced, people are advised to avoid contact with individuals who are at higher risk from COVID-19 for the full 10 days. They should also avoid visiting others in care homes, hospitals and other health and social care settings. Testing to end isolation is no longer advised.

The Minister said: “This updated advice seeks to strike the right balance at this stage of the pandemic between reducing transmission, protecting the vulnerable and mitigating the disruption caused by longer periods of isolation.”

“If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out your normal activities, stay home and minimise your contact with others until you feel well. You should particularly avoid contact with those considered vulnerable and you should not visit others in health and social care settings if you are feeling unwell or continue to have symptoms.

“This is the advice for all people with symptoms of respiratory infections, not just Covid-19. Those who test positive for COVID-19 should stay at home in line with the updated isolation guidance announced today.”

The Minister added: “As we move forward together, and continue learning to live life COVID aware, I would urge people to use personal judgment, to act responsibly and to take sensible actions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. This in turn will help to protect those who are most vulnerable.”

Further detail of the list of symptoms of respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and what to do should you develop symptoms can be found on nidirect.

Contact tracing has been one of the key interventions used over the last two years to help suppress transmission and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our society.

In line with the Test, Trace, Protect transition plan, contact tracing for the general population has been phased out over the past couple of months and the service has now been formally stood down as of yesterday.

The Minister concluded: “I want to thank the staff in the Public Health Agency and the wider health service who have worked in the Contact Tracing Service for their exceptional professionalism and dedication over the past two challenging years. I would also like to thank everyone who engaged with the Service, provided details of their contacts and complied with the guidance.”