Prof Ian Young, North’s Chief Scientific Officer
And Professor Ian Young has warned that localised lockdowns may be needed to stem the tide of the infection in the communities.
He said: “These cases represent a ten-fold increase, or more, of the virus compared to what we were seeing around the end of June.”
He said that while there are significantly higher numbers of cases in Antrim and Newtownabbey and Mid and East Antrim council areas, there is indication of widespread community transmission across the North of Ireland.
“We’re undoubtedly seeing COVID fatigue and that leads into complacency,” said Prof Young.
“I can understand it to an extent but we have to keep working hard consistently with the basic guidelines and make them embedded in people’s lives.”
Prof Ian Young says local lockdowns might be needed to combat rising levels of coronavirus infection.
“I think we are getting close to the point where, certainly, in those areas with the highest levels of cases that we may have to consider whether any additional local measures are required,” said Prof Young.
He said he did not believe a North of Ireland-wide lockdown was currently required.
Prof Young said he recognised the economic benefit of people returning to work but his advice was to continue to work from home where possible.
It has now been more than six weeks since the last Stormont briefing on coronavirus,
Prof Young said that the return of regular briefings is being discussed.
“It’s important we have clear and transparent communications and high-profile briefings where possible,” he added.
There have been 29 deaths from Coronavirus in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
There have been five positive cases over the past week within the council boundary and there had been 236 cases up to August 16.
On Saturday, the Department of Health said a further 27 people tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
There have now been a total of 6,391 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland.
In the Republic, 200 new cases were reported on Saturday – the highest number in a single day since the start of May.
A further 66 were confirmed on Sunday, taking the country’s total number of confirmed cases to 27,257.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the number of new cases in the Republic is “deeply concerning”.
He said that it is an “evolving situation” and the government would monitor it closely.
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