12 new COVID cases in Derry & Strabane and 19 in Causeway, Coast & Glens over past week

One of the COVID testing stations previously set up in Northern Ireland.

Updated figures from the Department of Health show that there have been 12 positive COVID diagnoses in the Derry & Strabane Council area over the past seven days confirmed by laboratory tests.

To put this in context, this is a around 5% of the overall 224 confirmed cases in the city and district since testing began back in March 2020.

Over the same seven-day period up to yesterday, Belfast had fewer positive cases than Derry, at just nine.

Causeway Coast & Glens however had more than double that number with 19 new cases confirmed by lab tests.

A mobile testing unit began operating at the North West Regional College campus in Limavady today after a COVID-19 cluster was identified emanating from a house gathering in the Drumsurn village region.

Sinn Féin Councillor for the County Derry region Brenda Chivers expressed concern over the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the small village area and has asked for a second testing unit for this specific region.

Councillor Chivers said: “I have been in contact with Council who are working with the Public Health Agency to ensure contact tracing and testing is taking place.

“This breakout is a reminder that this virus is still with us and how quickly it can spread. People need to be vigilant, follow the guidelines, practise social distancing and continue regular hand washing. There is an onus on all of us to be responsible and keep people safe, we cannot become complacent.

“My thoughts are with those affected and I wish them a speedy recovery.”