Derry/Strabane COVID-19 case rates stubbornly high with increases in Waterside and Strabane

On Monday the Department of Health confirmed that between November 16 and November 22 the case rate in BT48, which covers the west bank of the Foyle, was down to 194.3 per 100,000 people with 118 cases registered during the week.

That was down from case rates of 217.4 per 100,000 a week ago, 283.2 per 100,000 a fortnight ago, 398.5 per 100,000 three weeks ago, 691.6 per 100,000 four weeks ago, and 1,155.9 per 100,000 five weeks ago.

In BT47, covering the Waterside and rural north Derry as far as Dungiven, the rate has increased.

The rate has risen to 232.7 per 100,000 people with 143 positive cases over the seven days. This was up from 216.4 last week but still lower than 275 per 100,000 two weeks ago, 364.5 per 100,000 three weeks ago, 595.5 per 100,000 four weeks ago, and 997.4 per 100,000 five weeks ago.

There has also been a marked week-on-week increase in the BT82 post code area which covers the Strabane area of the local council.

The rate there is 235.1 with 63 positive cases reported between November 16 and November 22.

The Waterside and Strabane areas are among the top 12 worst affected areas in the north at present.