Coronavirus continues to spread across Derry
The number of cases in the Derry and Strabane council area per 100,000 of population is almost three times that of the NI-wide figure.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood told the Nolan Show he will be discussing the issue with Health Minister Robin Swann.
The Foyle MP said everyone has a part to play in controlling the virus.
The number of cases in the Derry and Strabane area has continued to rise sharply in recent days: It now has 209 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The rate across the North of Ireland is 75 cases per 100,000, according to Department of Health figures.
Meanwhile, tighter localised restrictions in the neighbouring county of Donegal in the Republic of Ireland came into effect last Friday.
“It (coronavirus) is back and it is back in a big way. The way we stopped it the last time was by acting quickly, we need to act quickly now,” Mr Eastwood said today.
The Foyle MP added: “We will speak to the Executive about how that gets done from a government point of view.
“But again, none of that will matter unless we act individually, within our families, and within our communities.”
As of Friday, the Department of Health had recorded a total of 756 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Derry and Strabane District Council area – 316 of those were reported last week alone.
There have been no coronavirus-linked deaths in the region since 30 May.
Stricter public health restrictions came into effect across all of the North of Ireland last week.
People cannot visit others in their homes and no more than six people from two households are allowed to gather in a private garden.
Mr Eastwood said he hopes further and more localised restrictions in Derry and Strabane can be avoided.
He said he would discuss what was possible with Health Minister Robin Swann.
Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton also called on people in the region to accept greater personal responsibility.
“A full lockdown in my opinion may not be the answer,” said Mr Middleton today.
“That would be a backwards step.”
The stricter localised restrictions in Donegal – which has also has seen a sharp rise in cases recently – are in place until Friday, October 16.
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