15 coronavirus cases confirmed in Kilkeel, Co. Down amid testing for variant

By Q Radio News and PA reporter

Fifteen cases of Covid-19 have been detected in the Co Down town of Kilkeel following localised testing in the area.

Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency said that just over 1,000 tests were carried out over the weekend and 15 positive cases of Covid-19 have been detected.

The positive test results are being assessed to ascertain whether the cases are of the variant of the virus first identified in India.

Asymptomatic testing started in Kilkeel on Saturday following the identification of a small number of probable cases of the variant.

Testing Units are to remain in Kilkeel to accommodate testing of anyone over the age of five from within the identified areas who has yet to be tested.

The PHA is also working with partners to place an additional Mobile Testing Unit at Kilkeel High School to test all pupils and staff as a precautionary measure as a number of positive Covid-19 cases have been linked to the school.

Brid Farrell from the PHA says it could be a number of days before finding out what variant of coronavirus the cases in Kilkeel are. 

Brid Farrell, PHA speaking to Q Radio

The news comes as there have been no further Covid-19 deaths recorded by Stormont’s Department of Health in the last 24-hour reporting period.

There were another 54 confirmed cases of the virus recorded.

On Monday morning there were 16 confirmed Covid-19 inpatients in hospital, one of whom was in intensive care.

NI #COVID19 data has been updated:

📊54 positive cases and no deaths have been reported in past 24 hours
💉1,800,814 vaccines administered in total

➡️https://t.co/YN16dmGzhv
➡️https://t.co/Yfa0hHVmRL pic.twitter.com/Ffma98Fn8J

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) June 7, 2021

There are currently 16 people being treated in hospitals across Northern Ireland with covid-19, one of whom is intensive care.

Meanwhile, the average 7 day infection rate per 100,000 people in NI is sitting at 27.8.