Derry and Strabane COVID-19 cases double in ten days: 24 infections among people over 60 in the past week

In total 295 positive coronavirus cases have been registered in Derry and Strabane between September 19 and September 25, according to the latest Department of Health data that was released this afternoon.

Since the pandemic began there have been 700 confirmed cases in Derry and Strabane.

More positive COVID-19 cases were registered in the city and district in the past week than were recorded between the start of the pandemic and Sunday, September 6.

The number of infections in Derry and Strabane rose from 340 on Tuesday, September 15, to 700 confirmed cases on Friday, September 25, a doubling period of just ten days.

The rolling seven day case rate in Derry and Strabane has risen to 195.8, almost twice Belfast's 107.3, and nearly three times the average across the north, which is 74.2.

Of the confirmed 295 infections since last Saturday six involved patients aged over 80 years of age, while a further 18 involved people aged between 60 and 70.

Most of the cases were among people in the 20 to 39 age demographic with 147 cases in total.

But there were also 84 cases among people aged 40 to 59 and 40 cases among children and teenagers.

There have been no new hospital admission at Altnagelvin since last Sunday.