Covid-19: Don’t turn up at surgery or A&E looking for a test

Dr Paul Molloy, of Abbey Medical in Derry, said: “People shouldn’t turn up at the hospital Emergency Department or their GP looking for a test. We don’t do them.

“The bottom line is that, if you have a constant cough, a temperature and loss of taste or smell, you may have COVID. You then contact NHS 111 by phone or online and arrange a test. If you need advice, you’ll be given it on the 111 line.

“Schools need to follow the same advice as everyone else. If someone goes home with vomiting and diarrhoea, they do not have the symptoms suggestive of Covid and do not need tested.

“They should stay at home until they are well enough to go back.”

Dr Molloy acknowledged that there appeared to be a big demand for tests but said it was important the correct people were getting them.

New figures reveal that there were 16 positive Covid 19 cases in the Derry and Strabane district last Sunday (September 13) - the highest daily tally since the crisis began.

Worryingly, this was followed the next day by a further 15 positive coronavirus cases - bringing the two-day total to more than 30.

The Department of Health statistics also reveal that there were 61 positive cases of the disease identified in the local council area from September 9 to September 15.

This is in comparison with 16 positive cases the previous week, September 2 to September 8.

The majority of the cases identified locally in the last seven days involved people under the age of 40.