Drumsurn cluster was an 'early test' but you should 'act like COVID-19 is in your street'

Mr. Swann said he was reassured by how effectively the "excellent cohort of professional contact tracers" dealt with the recent outbreak to prevent it spreading significantly from its north Derry epicentre.

"The recent cluster in the Limavady area was an early test for the service, and I have been reassured by how quickly the service was able to respond by making contact with all those concerned and offering appropriate advice.

"The workforce planning model is based on the ability to flex staff numbers up and down to deal with emergency situations as they occur, and that incident has highlighted the benefits of that approach," said the minister.

He said contact tracing was critical to bringing down and keeping down the R value and preventing further waves of the potentially deadly infection.

And he said people needed to be ultra vigilant and play their part in the public health battle against coronavirus.

"The virus has the potential to make its presence felt in any district and at any time. Everyone should act on the basis that it might be in their street or on their road right now.

"That is why following the public health advice on maintaining social distance and ensuring the highest standards of hand and respiratory hygiene remains vital.

"Whilst I absolutely recognise that the issue of face coverings divides opinion in wider society, I repeat the point that the medical and scientific advice is clear: wearing face coverings in retail settings will help to protect our fellow citizens," he stated.